Isolation of Mycoplasma agalactiae var bovis from a calf pneumonia outbreak in the south of England
Thomas, L.H.; Howard, C.J.; Gourlay, R.N.
Veterinary Record 97(3): 55-56
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 1154637 Document Number: 91911
M. agalactiae var. bovis was isolated from pneumonic lung material and nasopharyneal swabs from Friesian calves aged 3-5 months during the course of a severe outbreak of respiratory disease on a large beef rearing farm in the south of England. This is the first reported isolation of this mycoplasma, known to be pathogenic for cattle, in the United Kingdom. Clinical signs including apathy, anorexia, widespread coughing and dyspnoea became apparent 2-3 weeks after exposure. P.M. examination showed extensive pneumonic consolidation and emphysema. Histologically there was an acute bronchopneumonia. Endobronchial inoculation of a suspension of pneumonic lung tissue into two 5-month-old calves produced pyrexia and dyspnoea with subsequent (6 days after inoculation) lameness and polyarthritis in one animal and mild dyspnoea in the other. M. agalactiae var. bovis was isolated from the pneumonic lung tissue of both calves and from the joint fluid of the animal with polyarthritis.