Listeric septicaemia in sheep associated with Tick-Borne fever (Ehrlichiosis ovis)
Gronstol, H.; Ulvund, M.J.
Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 18(4): 575-577
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0044-605X PMID: 413348 Document Number: 113335
The case history of a sheep with listeric septicaemia in association with tickborne fever (TBF) is described. Biochemical studies showed low serum albumin (2.37 g%) and a low albumin/globulin ratio (0.44); serum iron was 66 mu g% and there were 7500 neutrophile leukocytes/ mu l, of which 10% contained TBF organisms. CSF samples contained 2 mg% glucose, 0.58 g% protein and 330 leukocytes/ mu l. PM examination revealed a swollen, yellowish brown, friable liver with numerous white foci (maximum diameter, 1 mm). The adrenals and kidneys had similar foci, and the spleen was brownish red, enlarged and turgid with swollen edges. Miliary necrotic granulomas containing detritus were found in the liver. Suppurative changes were found in the medulla oblongata. Though TBF is considered an important predisposing factor in ovine septicaemia induced by Pasteurella haemolytica, the existence of some unknown resistance-lowering factor resulting in both a relapse of TBF and activation of latent Listeria monocytogenes infection cannot be disregarded.