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Comp Clin Pathol (2015) 24:541543
DOI 10.1007/s00580-014-1939-1
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Actinomycosis (lumpy jaw) in cow: a case report
Ajay Masand & Naresh Kumar & Vikram Patial
Received: 26 August 2013 /Accepted: 19 May 2014 /Published online: 31 May 2014 # Springer-Verlag London 2014
Abstract A 5-year-old crossbred Jersey cow with a history of 78 months old proliferative overgrowth at the intermandibular region was presented in a veterinary polyclinic. There was partial reduction in appetite; however, the clinical parameters were found normal. The growth was removed surgically and tissue was processed for histopathology. Grossly, the cut surface of the growth appeared creamish white with multifocal pale yellow areas of calcification. Microscopically, multiple granulomas were observed with the presence of bacterial colonies and club-shaped reaction product surrounded by strong neutrophilic reaction. On the basis of clinical sign and histopathology, it was diagnosed as a case of actinomycosis (lumpy jaw).
Keywords Bovine . Actinomycosis . Pathology
Introduction
Actinomycosis is a specific disease characterized by a classical rarefying mandibular osteomyelitis and commonly known as lumpy jaw in cattle. It is caused by a Gram positive, branching filamentous organismActinomyces bovis. In 1877, Bollinger and Harz named the genus Actinomyces when they described the etiologic agent of bovine actinomycosis
(lumpy jaw) and called as A. bovis. The organism is an obligatory parasite on the mucous membranes of the oropharynx. Predisposition to disease seems to occur through direct extension of the infection from the gums, apparently following injury or as a complication of periodontitis of other causes (Jubb et al. 1993; Bertone and Rebhum 1984). The basic lesion in actinomycosis is represented by granulation tissue having small abscesses, sulfa granules, and occasionally draining sinus tracts. Involvement of adjacent bone frequently results in facial distortion, loose teeth, and dyspnea due to swelling in the nasal cavity.
Various treatment protocols have been documented in the literature for the lumpy jaw but with sub-satisfactory responses (Brunton et al. 2005; Mettler et al. 2009). The present report describes a typical case of lumpy jaw in a cow which achieved complete recovery with surgical and drug therapy.
Materials and methods
A 5-year-old crossbred Jersey cow presented with a history of 78 months old proliferative outgrowth in the intermandibular region (Fig. 1a). History revealed that the growth appeared the...