-
 J Vet Sci. 2009 Jun;10(3):265-267
DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2009.10.3.265
  
 

An atypical case of respiratory actinobacillosis in a cow

Peli Angelo1, Spadari Alessandro1, Romagnoli Noemi1, Bettini Giuliano2,*, Scarpa Filippo2, Pietra Marco1

 

Departments of 1Veterinary Clinical Sciences, and 2Veterinary Public Health and Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Italy
* giuliano.bettini@unibo.it

 

A not pregnant 4-year-old Jersey cow was presented with the sudden appearance of respiratory noise, nasal discharge and moderate respiratory difficulty. Upon physical examination a snoring-like noise, extended head and neck position, exaggerated abdominal effort, bilateral nasal discharge and left prescapular lymph node enlargement were noted. Sub-occlusion of the initial portion of the respiratory tract was suspected. Radiographic and endoscopic examinations revealed a pedunculate mass on the dorsal aspect of the rhinopharynx, which was removed with endoscopically assisted electrosurgery. Histologic examination revealed a chronic pyogranulomatous inflammation with eosinophilic club-like bodies surrounding small colonies of rod-shaped bacteria. Results of histochemical staining were consistent with Actinobacillus-like bacteria and a diagnosis of respiratory actinobacillosis was reached. Surgery and antibiotic therapy were resolutive, as demonstated by an endoscopic check at the second month after surgery, even without the association of the traditional iodine cure, which is regarded as the treatment of choice for actinobacillosis.