Enteritis and Septicemia in a Horse Associated With Infection by Escherichia fergusonii

This report presents a clinical case of enteritis and septicemia with subsequent death of an adult horse associated with Escherichia fergusonii, in Germany. The patient died within 24 hours after onset of clinical signs, including fever and erosive stomatitis. Major pathologic findings were severe, acute, fibrinous, and necrotizing enteritis; severe, acute, fibrinous endocarditis; as well as multiple, hyaline thrombi in blood vessels. E fergusonii and Escherichia coli were isolated in moderate to high amounts from the intestine, the tricuspid valve, and the liver. This article represents the first case report of lethal enteritis and septicemia associated with E fergusonii infection in a horse.     

Isolation of Escherichia fergusonii from the feces and internal organs of a goat with diarrhea

A fecal sample from a 42-year-old goat with a 2-month history of poor weight gain and diarrhea yielded a moderate growth of an organism resembling Salmonella spp. on MacConkey agar. The organism was identified as Escherichia fergusonii. The animal was euthanized. Samples of intestine, lung, liver, and kidney yielded the same organism, E. fergusonii.     

Ocular lesions in chickens inoculated with Escherichia coli.

Specific-pathogen-free chickens (two, four and ten weeks of age) which were inoculated via the air sac with Escherichia coli developed ocular lesions. Histologically, the main ocular lesions consisted of hyphema, hemorrhages of the iris, hypopyon, keratitis and uveitis. Hyphema was associated with hemorrhages of the iris, and hypopyon with keratitis and uveitis. Cyclophosphamide treatment enhanced the incidence and severity of hyphema and hemorrhages of the iris in the chickens.     

The effect of sodium chloride extract and commercial lipopolysaccharides of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium on chickens.

In chickens inoculated into the heart with a sodium chloride extract of Escherichia coli strain (serotype O2) isolated from a chicken with colibacillosis, characteristic hemorrhages into the anterior chamber of the eyes (hyphema) were found. Significant lesions were limited to the eyes. Cyclophosphamide-treated chickens were more sensitive to the extract than untreated chickens and hyphema was usually seen in association with hemorrhages of the iris. These activities were not reduced by heating the extract at 60 degrees C for one hour or by trypsin digestion. Chickens inoculated into the heart with commercial lipopolysaccharides of E. coli (serotypes O111:B4 and O55:B5) and Salmonella typhimurium showed similar lesions in the eyes as the chickens inoculated with the sodium chloride extract. These findings suggest that the endotoxin may induce hyphema in chickens.     

Acute Ehrlichia platys infection in the dog

Ten dogs were inoculated with Ehrlichia platys (E. platys) from an acutely infected dog. Two dogs were necropsied on each of days 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 post-inoculation, and tissues were collected and either fixed in formalin or frozen for light microscopic examination of lesions or E. platys antigen localization in tissues. Serum antibody titers to E. platys and serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities were also determined. The significant light microscopic findings were lymph node follicular hyperplasia and crescent-shaped hemorrhages in the splenic periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths beginning day 7 post-inoculation. There was significant megakaryocyte hyperplasia of bone marrow on days 28 and 35 post-inoculation. Ehrlichia platys antigen was in macrophages at 14 days post-inoculation which corresponded to the initial decline in platelet numbers. Initial thrombocytopenia and splenic crescent-shaped hemorrhages were temporally related, however the degree of lesion development and prominence were not related to subsequent platelet numbers.     

Chicken embryo lethality assay for determining the virulence of avian Escherichia coli isolates

Multiple isolates of Escherichia coli from clinical cases of colibacillosis and E. coli from the intestinal tracts of normal broilers at slaughter were assayed by the embryo lethality test to determine their virulence. The assay was repeated five times in order to establish reproducibility and determine the statistical parameters of the test. This study showed that the inoculation of approximately 100 colony-forming units in the allantoic cavity of 12-day-old embryos discriminated between virulent and avirulent E. coli isolates. Gross lesions included cranial and skin hemorrhages in addition to encephalomalacia in embryos inoculated with virulent isolates. Abnormalities were observed by microscopic examination of the heart, brain, and liver in embryos inoculated with virulent isolates. Analysis of data indicated that the length of the test should be 4 days. In the virulent group, day 2 postinoculation had the most significant death patterns. Sample size calculations indicated that 11 embryos are sufficient for the assay. On the basis of death rates, isolates considered to be avirulent had an embryo death rate of <10%, moderately or secondary pathogens had a 10%-29% death rate, and virulent isolates had a death rate of >29%. An important aspect of this assay is the accessibility of good-quality fertile embryonated eggs.     

Necrotising fasciitis associated with Escherichia coli in a dog

CASE HISTORY: Lameness and limb pain associated with a laceration in the inner thigh of a Border Collie dog progressed over 4 days to extensive necrosis of the full-thickness of skin and subcutaneous (S/C) tissue. A successful outcome was achieved using surgical debridement and intensive supportive care, followed by limited local closure, axial pattern flap development, and free skin grafting. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Clinical findings included severe pain, depression, pyrexia and hypoalbuminaemia, and full-thickness loss of skin from the caudal thigh to the hock. Histopathologically, debrided tissue showed extensive necrosis of the dermis, adipose and muscle tissues, and the presence of numerous Gram-negative rods. Escherichia coli was cultured from deep tissue samples. DIAGNOSIS: Necrotising fasciitis (NF) associated with E. coli infection. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: NF associated with E. coli has not been previously reported in dogs. The importance of early diagnosis and surgical debridement is noted and the relevant medical literature is reviewed.     

The importance of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli containing the 987P antigen in causing neonatal colibacillosis in piglets in Indonesia

A survey was undertaken in piggeries in the Bogor and Jakarta Capital Territory areas to identify the antigens associated with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (E. coli). Rectal swab samples were collected from 65 normal piglets and from 858 with diarrhoea. Fimbrial and O-antigens were determined by agglutination tests. The 987P antigen was only associated with non-haemolygic E. coli in colonies grown for 3-10 days in tryptic soy broth. Organisms which possessed 987P antigen were isolated from 56.4% of piglets with diarrhoea and from 10.8% of normal piglets. Most cases of diarrhoea that were associated with E. coli 987P occurred within the first 3 weeks of life. Multiple infections occurred in 13.4% of cases and were associated with E. coli K88 in eight cases (1.7%) K99 in 26 cases (5.4%) and F41 in 31 cases (6.4%). Of 959 isolates of E. coli 987P, 80.7% were O-group 20, 13% were O-group 9 and 0.5% were O-group 141 with 5.7% being non-typable. Heat stable toxin was produced by all five E. coli 987P isolates tested.     

Carriage of potentially pathogenic Escherichia coli in chickens

DNA-DNA hybridization, cultured cell lines, and transmission electron microscopy were used to study pathogenicity traits of 64 Escherichia coli isolated from apparently healthy chickens from 18 small-scale farms in Thika District, Kenya. A total of 39 (60.9%) isolates hybridized with the eae gene probe for enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) whereas another 16 (25%) hybridized with the lt and st gene probes and were categorized as enterotoxigenic E. coli. Electron microscopic examination of the eae probe-positive E. coli cultures with the HT-2919A cell line confirmed that they were able to attach intimately and produced effacement typical of EPEC. In addition, negative stain electron microscopy showed that the EPEC strains produced pili that have previously been associated with increased virulence of E. coli infections in chickens. This study has also demonstrated that apparently healthy chickens may carry enteropathogenic E. coli strains.     

Experimental Hemorrhagic Septicemia: Gross and Microscopic Lesions Resulting from Acute Infections and from Endotoxin Administration

Gross and microscopic lesions observed in bovine and porcine hemorrhagic septicemia, and in bovine Pasteurella multocida endotoxemia are described. Widely distributed hemorrhages, edema, and general hyperemia were the most obvious tissue changes observed in the infected calves. Pneumonia was a constant lesion. Aerosol exposure produced a multiple focal fibrinosuppurative pneumonia, while intranasal and intramuscular inoculation resulted in generalized interstitial pneumonia. A slight lymphadenitis and degenerative changes in hepatic and renal parenchymal cells were also observed.

The predominant lesions observed in infected pigs were a diffuse, extensive, fibrinous pneumonia and fibrinous polyserositis. Edema and general hyperemia were observed, but the widespread hemorrhages which occurred in the calves were not present. Acute lymphadenitis and renal tubule vacuolar degeneration were observed. A slight amount of cloudy swelling and focal areas of necrosis were found in the liver.

Lesions in a calf that died following administration of Past. multocida endotoxin were widely distributed hemorrhages, edema, and general hyperemia. These lesions were especially evident in the lungs, and indicated widespread vascular alteration.

     

Pathology of cloacal bursae of gnotobiotic turkeys orally inoculated with Escherichia coli

Cloacal bursae from three-week-old gnotobiotic turkeys were examined by light and electron microscopy and bacteriologic techniques at 1, 2, 5, 8, 12, and 16 days after oral inoculation of highly virulent (group 1) and weakly virulent (group 2) Escherichia coli. In both groups a significant decrease in follicular volume and increase in interstitial volume were associated with infection. Follicular cortical, follicular medullary and total follicular transectional areas increased with time in inoculated and control turkeys. In group 1, granulocytic inflammation developed in bursae on day 1 and diminished by day 8 after inoculation. Microabscesses were present on days 5 and 8 after inoculation in less than 1% of follicles. Bacteria were seen in few follicular medullae on days 5 and 8 after inoculation; bacteremia was detected on days 1, 2, and 5 after inoculation. In group 2, pyogranulomatous bursitis was first seen at five days after inoculation and became progressively more severe with time. Follicular alterations in group 2 included abscessation, lymphocyte necrosis, reticuloepithelial hyperplasia and perifollicular fibroplasia. Ultrastructurally, follicular pads had degenerate and necrotic epithelial cells, intercellular edema, and cystic spaces that contained acidic mucosubstances and laminar deposits of calcium salts. Bacteria were seen within necrotic centers of follicular abscesses, in phagosomes of macrophages and multinucleate giant cells and within extracellular spaces of follicular pads and follicular medullae from day 5 to day 16 after inoculation; no bacteremia was detected. We conclude that E. coli passes through the bursal follicle-associated epithelium and replicates within follicular medullae, that extensive follicular necrosis is associated with persistence of E. coli in follicular medullae, and that E. coli of low virulence may cause severe pyogranulomatous bursitis in young turkeys without causing the respiratory or systemic diseases which are commonly associated with organisms of high virulence.     

An Epizootic of Diarrhea in a Rabbit Colony. Pathology and Bacteriology

Thirteen adult rabbits and 15 weanling rabbits exhibiting signs of diarrhea were subjected to pathological and bacteriological examination. The lesions in 11 of the adult rabbits consisted of a cecocolitis that was characterized by edema of the gut wall, necrosis of the mucosa, and serosal hemorrhages. Also, five of these 11 rabbits exhibited liver lesions consistent with Tyzzer's disease. Lesions in the weanling rabbits were minimal with only two animals exhibiting focal necrosis of the mucosa and one animal exibiting necrosis of the mesenteric lymph nodes. All animals of each age group exhibited pneumonitis. Escherichia coli was present in high numbers (approximately 10¹² organisms per g dry wt contents) in the cecum of eight of 13 adult and 12 of 15 weanling rabbits. Thirteen of these isolates were serotype O128:B12. Preliminary attempts to reproduce the disease in young adult rabbits by a series of per os inoculations of an isolate of E. coli (serotype O128:B12) plus intramuscular inoculation of prednisone resulted in the induction of diarrhea in two of four rabbits. The gross and histological lesions in these two animals were similar to those of the spontaneously occurring cases, consisting of edema of the cecal wall, necrosis of the mucosa, and serosal hemorrhages. Numerous white spots of focal necrosis occurred in the liver. No intracellular organisms resembling Tyzzer's disease agent were evident in any sections examined. Inoculation of either E. coli or prednisone alone did not induce diarrhea. Subsequent attempts to reproduce the disease by these methods were unsuccessful. In spite of this inability to repeat the experimental results, it was felt that this study indicated a possible role of E. coli in rabbit diarrhea, either as an etiological agent or as a secondary invader.     

Xanthogranulomatous inflammation of the small bowel in a dog

A case of xanthogranulomatous inflammation of the small bowel in a 12-year-old male American Staffordshire Terrier is described. Disseminated yellow-white nodules 2 to 3 mm in diameter bulging on the serosal surface of the small bowel, as well as on mesenteric tissue, were detected. Histopathologic examination revealed a nodular collection of foamy cells, mainly involving serosal and muscular layers, associated with necrotic areas, hemorrhages, neovascularization, variable numbers of reactive spindle cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and rare multinucleated giant cells. Transmural lymphangectasia and mucosal lymphoplasmacytic inflammation were also observed. Both Oil Red O stain and ultrastructural study revealed lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of foamy cells. Lysozyme immunoreactivity was detected in single as well as in clustered foamy cells, while smooth muscle actin was positive in spindle cells and scattered foamy elements. Lymphangectasia associated with lymphoplasmacytic enteritis suggests a component of lymphatic fluid stasis in the pathogenesis of such lesions.     

Brain lesions in pigs affected with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome.

Anti-porcine circovirus type 2 (anti-PCV2) immunostaining was associated with cerebellar lymphohistiocytic vasculitis combined with hemorrhages (50 pigs) or with lymphohistiocytic meningitis (23 pigs) in pigs naturally affected with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). The animals originated from 12 farms in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In total, 456 unthrifty 3- to 5-month-old postweaning pigs confirmed as PMWS cases were necropsied. Although most findings mimicked those extensively reported in PMWS-affected pigs, there were distinctive brain lesions that included multiple hemorrhages in the cerebellar leptomeninges associated with lymphohistiocytic vasculitis and fibrinoid degeneration in vessels of the cerebellum and periventricular areas (69 pigs). These vascular lesions were also seen in conjunction with lymphohistiocytic meningitis (38 additional pigs). PCV2 antigen was immunohistochemically demonstrated in the cytoplasm and nuclei from intralesional perivascular macrophages and endothelial-like cells in brain tissues. Together these findings suggest that these lesions were caused by PCV2.     

Necrotising fasciitis associated with Escherichia coli in a dog

CASE HISTORY: Lameness and limb pain associated with a laceration in the inner thigh of a Border Collie dog progressed over 4 days to extensive necrosis of the full-thickness of skin and subcutaneous (S/C) tissue. A successful outcome was achieved using surgical debridement and intensive supportive care, followed by limited local closure, axial pattern flap development, and free skin grafting.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: Clinical findings included severe pain, depression, pyrexia and hypoalbuminaemia, and full-thickness loss of skin from the caudal thigh to the hock. Histopathologically, debrided tissue showed extensive necrosis of the dermis, adipose and muscle tissues, and the presence of numerous Gram-negative rods. Escherichia coli was cultured from deep tissue samples.

DIAGNOSIS: Necrotising fasciitis (NF) associated with E. coli infection.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: NF associated with E. coli has not been previously reported in dogs. The importance of early diagnosis and surgical debridement is noted and the relevant medical literature is reviewed.     

Tissue Distribution of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (Aroclor 1254) in Cockerels: Relation to the Duration of Exposure and Observations on Pathology

Day old cockerels were given a ration containing 500 ppm of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) as Aroclor 1254. Mortality was recorded and various tissues analyzed for PCB levels. Tissue concentrations of PCB increased in direct relation with the time of the experiment and with the survival period of birds. The PCB ratios between liver, kidney and muscle to that in the brain were constant through the duration of the study. Pathological examination revealed extensive hydropericardium and edema in the lung, muscle and subcutis; hemorrhages in muscles, digestive tract, lung and kidney; myocarditis; kidney and liver necrosis and hepatitis.     

Fatty haemorrhagic liver syndrome in laying hens on diets supplemented with rapeseed products.

Livers of laying hens of Hy-Line No 934E on low erucic acid rapeseed meals and rapeseed oil were studied. Gross lesions in the livers of hens on experimental diets were moderate to severe fatty degeneration, focal necrosis and moderate to severe haemorrhage. Histological examination revealed oedematous foci and lysis of hepatocytes along with large amounts of lipid droplets in the necrotic lesions. Necrotic lesions were not always associated with large haemorrhages. Connective tissue infiltration of older degenerative and haemorrhagic lesions was not extensive. Abdominal haemorrhage from livers occurred when extensive necrosis in the form of hepatocyte lysis and some vascular changes were present, suggesting hepatocytic degeneration caused by toxic products or their metabolites present in rapeseed by-products.     

Ocular abnormalities in healthy Standardbred foals

Objective To determine the prevalence and describe ocular abnormalities in healthy Standardbred foals within 48 h of birth. Animals One hundred and two neonatal foals. Procedures All foals had an unassisted delivery. On the basis of physical examination and the results of hematological and biochemical parameters, all foals were unaffected by systemic diseases. A complete ophthalmic examination was performed within 48 h of birth. Foals with ocular hemorrhages were re‐examined weekly until the abnormalities were resolved. Results 65/102 (63.7%) foals did not show ocular abnormalities, while in 37/102 (36.3%) cases, ocular abnormalities were present. Retinal and subconjunctival hemorrhages were recorded in 19/102 (18.6%), and in 13/102 (12.7%), respectively. In 4/102 (3.9%) animals, an entropion of the lower eyelid was present. Only one foal (1%) showed a congenital nuclear unilateral cataract. No other ocular abnormalities were detected. However, all foals showed various degrees of remnants of hyaloid system. One week after the first ocular examination, retinal hemorrhages had resolved in 100% of the eyes, whereas subconjunctival hemorrhages had disappeared in all eyes by the second week following the first examination. Conclusions The acquired ocular lesions observed with relatively high frequency in the examined healthy Standardbred foals were ocular hemorrhages, which always showed a good outcome. Although these abnormalities were present at birth, they were not considered strictly congenital but likely acquired during parturition. Instead, congenital ocular abnormalities were rarely diagnosed, and the entropion of the lower eyelid was the most common disease in the breed.     

A survey of the aerobic bacteria in the feces of captive raptors

Feces of 47 captive raptors belonging to the order Falconiformes or Strigiformes were cultured for bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria, which were cultured from the feces of 45 of the 47 raptors, were the most common isolates. A wide variety of species were identified, including a newly described genus (Moellerella wisconsensis), two newly described species (Escherichia fergusonii and Proteus penneri), and a member of a newly described enteric group (CDC Enteric group 41). Additional organisms identified that have not been reported in previous bacteriological surveys of raptors were Salmonella heidelberg, Salmonella braenderup, Morganella morganii, Yersinia ruckeri, Serratia spp., and Kluyvera sp. Escherichia coli, isolated from the feces of 42 of the 47 raptors, was the most frequently recovered. Streptococcus faecalis, the second most common isolate, was cultured from 30 birds. Several differences were observed between fecal bacteria isolated from raptors fed commercially prepared chicken and those isolated from raptors not fed chicken. The most obvious difference was that birds fed chicken had more varied gram-negative bacterial species and in greater numbers per fecal sample. The potential for the isolated bacteria from raptors as pathogens in humans and avian species is discussed.     

Characterization of Escherichia coli strains obtained from layer chickens affected with colibacillosis in a commercial egg-producing farm

The present study reports colibacillosis of layer chickens in a commercial egg-producing farm in western Japan. Three flocks of chicken at 18-21 weeks of age were affected during the initiation of egg lay. Postmortem examination revealed pericarditis, perihepatitis, airsacculitis, subcutaneous inguinal lesion, and injured cloaca. Escherichia coli was isolated from the lesions of the affected birds. Twenty-two of 26 E. coli isolates (84.6%) obtained from 18 birds in the 3 flocks showed pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns that were considered to be closely associated to each other and arbitrarily designated as pattern A. All the 22 isolates with the PFGE pattern A harbored the putative virulence genes, astA, iss, iucD, tsh, and cva/cvi. Additional 2 PFGE patterns (B and C) were also found in E. coli isolates obtained from the affected flocks and had the putative virulence genes in combinations different from those in the pattern A strains. The results suggested that certain E. coli virulence genes and host factors, such as initiation of egg lay may be associated with occurrence of colibacillosis.