Pathogenicity of Bacillus cereus for pregnant ewes and heifers
Wohlgemuth, K.; Kirkbride, C.A.; Bicknell, E.J.; Ellis, R.P.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 161(12): 1691-1695
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 4629649 Document Number: 56233
Five ewes, pregnant 90 to 110 days, were inoculated i/v with approximately 5X105 Bacillus cereus organisms. Four of the ewes aborted dead lambs 3 to 8 days postinoculation (PI). The other ewe died on PI day 4 after having fever, tachycardia, tachypnoea, and central nervous system disorder. Of 6 heifers pregnant 7 months, 2 (group 1) were inoculated i/v with approximately 8X106, 2 (group 2) with 8X105, and 2 (group 3) with 8X103 organisms. Heifers in groups 1 and 2 aborted dead calves after 7-12 days. Other clinical signs were mild. Heifers in group 3 had normal calves at term. Aborted lambs and calves had varying degrees of autolytic change, along with blood-tinged ascites, hydrothorax, hydropericardium, and subcutaneous oedema. Necrotic placentitis was the only microscopic lesion found in each case. The bacillus was isolated in pure culture from the tissues of the dead ewe and all aborted lambs and calves.