Caseous Lymphadenitis sheep

Pathogen

·    Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

Infection and transmission

·    Enters the body through skin abrasions, inhalation or ingestion

o  Infected wounds spreads infection to draining LN ® bacteria multiply ® abscessation ® endotoxin release

·    Transmission: skin abrasion, inhalation, ingestion, contact with infected pus

o  Increased risk during shearing

Clinical signs

·    Loss of BCS

·    Lumps/bumps on face/neck

·    Mastitis

·    Enlarged scrotal/inguinal LNs

Diagnosis

·    Swab and culture

o  Requires draining abscess – risk of contamination and further spread

·    ELISA – detect ab in blood (high spec but low sens)

Treatment

·    Cull infected animals (a/b not effective)

Prevention

·    Only buy in from trusted sources

·    Increase boundary biosecurity

·    Separate infected animals