L74a: bacterial infection of reproductive tract

metritis

inflammation of the uterus

vaginitis

discharge from the vulva

balanoposthitis

inflammation of the penis or preputial cavity

orchitis

inflammation of the testicles

what are the impacts of reproductive tract infections on animal health and reproduction?

1. infertility and subfertility

2. abortion and stillbirth

3. weak offspring

4. economic losses

5. zoonotic potential

what is the number one way reproductive tract infections are transmissed?

sexually transmitted

what are the diagnostic approaches for RTIs?

1. clinical signs

2. lab analysis via culture or sensitivity

3. sample depending on type of infection

MCQ: As a veterinarian, what should be considered when a productive infection is suspected in an animal ?

Submit appropriate sample for confirmation

what are the clinical signs of brucellosis in females?

1. abortion

2. infertility

3. mastitis

what are the clinical signs of brucellosis in males?

1. orchititis

2. epididymitis

3. seminal abnormalities

4. testicular atrophy

5. infertility

what do we use for culture examination for the diagnosis of brucellosis?

1. semen

2. lymph nodes

what type of stain do we have to do for microscopy to diagnose brucellosis?

Ziehl-Neelsen stain

what serology tests can we use to diagnose brucellosis?

1. serum agglutination test (SAT)

2. Rose-Bengal plate test

3. complement fixation test

4. PCR for species conformation

what testing do Brucellosis control programs use to diagnose?

1. Rose Bengal test is used first to screen large numbers (may have false positive due to cross-reactivity)

2. Complementation Fixation test (conformation)

who is the only animal vaccinated against brucellosis?

only female calves

what in the male dog will have B. canis?

semen

what can B. canis lead to in male dogs?

1. epidiymititis

2. prostatitis

3. testicular atrophy (chronic)

4. sterility (chronic)

what do we use for serology diagnosis of brucellosis in dogs?

agglutination test

what do we examine on necropsy for the diagnosis of brucellosis in dogs?

1. lymph nodes

2. spleen

what samples do we use for the diagnosis of brucellosis in both female and male dogs?

1. blood

2. vaginal discharge

3. aborted fetuses

4. semen

how do we control brucellosis in dog kennels?

1. test dogs

2. euthanize positive dogs

3. cleaning and disinfection

how does brucellosis affect swine?

1. abortion sterility and still births

2. spondylitis

3. abscesses in various organs

what strain of brucellosis causes the most serious infection?

B. melitensis (Malta fever or undulant fever)

MCQ: What Brucella species is most common in cattle in the USA?

B. abortus

how does leptospirosis affect ruminants?

1. abortion

2. stillbirth

3. birth of weak offspring

4. infertility

5. slightly red milk (blood)

how does leptospirosis affect pigs and feral swine?

1. fever

2. abortion

3. stillbirth

4. birth of weak or sick piglets

5. acute renal failure

6. loss of appetite

what bacterial agent causes Q fever?

Coxiella burnetii

what animals can be infected by Q fever?

cattle, sheep, and goats

what is important to note about Q fever?

zoonotic disease that is excreted from infected animal in milk, urine and feces

what is the treatment for Q fever?

tetracyclines

what effect does Q fever have in the animal?

abortion (placenta and fluids are infective)

why is Q fever an occupational exposure?

• contains spore-like forms that are resistant to heat, drying, or common disinfectants

• bioterrorism agent

what lab tests can be used for the diagnosis of Q fever?

1. Wright-Giesma or Ziehl-Neelsen of placenta or abortive tissue

2. serology

3. PCR

what do we use for the prevention and control of Q fever?

1. prompt testing in cases of abortion

2. quarantine and remove abortive materials

3. vaccinate

4. NOTIFIABLE DISEASE IN THE US

MCQ: What is the primary clinical sign of Q fever in infected livestock (cattle, goats and sheep)?

abortion and stillbirth

which strain of listeria is more pathogenic and zoonotic?

L. monocytogenes

which form of listeria causes abortion in sheep?

L. ivanovii

who does listeria primarily effect?

cattle and sheep

what are the effects of listeria?

1. abortion

2. septicemia

what disease mentioned is non-contagious?

Listeria

what is the mode of infection for Listeria?

1. Ingestion

2. Silage (below pH of 5) = MOST COMMON SOURCE IN DAIRY CATTLE

what is the pathogenesis of Listeria?

• oral mucosa = circling disease

• intestinal mucosa = abortion or stillbirth

• blood = meningitis

what do we use in the diagnosis of Listeria?

1. history of silage feeding

2. clinical signs

3. perivascular cuffing lesions

4. Lab culture

what can we do for the prevention and control of Listeria?

1. do not feed spoiled silage

2. isolation

3. quick disposal of dead animals

4. dispose contaminated bedding

5. antibiotics of feed

how can humans be infected from listeria?

infected milk, milk products, and cold meat cuts

MCQ: What is the main source of Listeria monocytogenes infection in ruminants?

contaminated silage or feed

what else can posthitis/balanoposthitis in males be called?

Pizzle rot or sheath rot

what bacteria causes posthitis in male sheep/goat?

Corynebacterium spp

where does posthitis infect the male/goat?

normally inhabit the prepuce

what is a predisposing factor to pizzle rot in sheep and goats?

high protein diet