Epididymal swelling attributable to generalized lymphosarcoma in a stallion

Aspermia was diagnosed in a 12-year-old Thoroughbred stallion with generalized lymphosarcoma. Invasion of the epididymus by neoplastic cells caused thickening and enlargement of both epididymes. The testes were not affected. The nodular ultrasonographic architecture was similar to that in previously reported cases of infectious epididymitis.

Meningoencephalitis and other conditions associated with Histophilus ovis infection in sheep

Histophilus ovis was isolated from 29 sheep in 20 flocks and 2 artificial insemination (AI) centres in southern New South Wales from 1984 to 1990. The clinical and pathological findings were consistent with previous reports and included polyarthritis (7 flocks), epididymo-orchitis (5), meningoencephalitis (3), pneumonia (3), septicaemia (2), mastitis (1) and metritis (1). Six sheep had meningoencephalitis, a syndrome not previously associated with H ovis infection in sheep, which was similar pathologically to thromboembolic meningoencephalitis in cattle, caused by the related organism, Haemophilus somnus. H ovis was isolated from the semen of 12-month-old rams in a flock that had polyarthritis due to H ovis, in 4-month-old ram lambs and from the uterus of a ewe in a flock that had sporadic cases of H ovis septicaemia.

[Comparative study of culture media for isolating Brucella ovis]

For the isolation of Brucella ovis, modified Thayer-Martin medium with the addition of 0.01 micrograms/ml of trimethoprim and 100 IU of nystatin (TMM) was compared with Skirrow Agar (SK). Using viable counting technique, 11 strains were evaluated and the results were compared with those using Columbia Base Agar with bovine blood 7% (CBA). Ninety-four semen samples of 33 rams from a flock with infection antecedents were cultured on the same media. Growth of Brucella ovis strains was similar in all three media with the exception of one strain that did not grow on TMM. The results of semen cultures were the same for TMM and SK media and B. ovis was isolated from 27% of the samples. The results indicate that TMM and SK media are excellent for the isolation of B. ovis from semen of rams in field conditions.

Ultrasonographic detection of chronic epididymitis in a stallion

Clinical signs of chronic epididymitis in a stallion included recurrent signs of inguinal pain--retraction of the right testis into the inguinal area, resentment of palpation of the right testis, and right-sided scrotal swelling. The tail of the right epididymis was firm and seemed to be adhered to the testis. The tail of the left epididymis felt firmer than normal. Ultrasonographically, the diameter of the head of the epididymis was considered larger than normal, was hyperechoic in relation to the right testis, and had an irregular border. Several bright 1- to 5-mm-diameter echogenic areas that alternated with less echogenic areas were seen in the head of the right epididymis. Ultrasonographic findings were interpreted as fibrosis attributable to chronic inflammation. Unilateral castration (right-sided) was performed, but the prognosis was guarded because of presumed involvement of the left epididymis.

Serological responses of rams to a Brucella ovis-vitamin E adjuvant vaccine

Rams which were vaccinated at 6-8 months of age with a water-in-oil Brucella ovis-vitamin E adjuvant vaccine had significantly higher serum antibody levels than rams vaccinated with a commercial B. ovis bacterin or B. melitensis Rev 1. The adjuvant vaccine did not cause abscesses at the site of injection as some water-in-oil emulsions do. Two years after vaccination, the vitamin E adjuvant-vaccinated rams had higher antibody level than the other groups. This was most likely due to a secondary response to naturally occurring infection with B. ovis.

Enterocystoplasty with cystectomy and subtotal intracapsular prostatectomy in the male dog

Urinary diversion by implantation of the ureters into an isolated segment of jejunum was evaluated in eight clinically normal male dogs. Total cystectomy and subtotal intracapsular prostatectomy were performed, and the intestinal loop was sutured to the prostatic remnant. General health, renal function, acid-base balance, urinary tract infection, and urinary continence were monitored during observation periods of 4 to 30 weeks. All dogs survived the observation period and seven were in excellent general health at the time of euthanasia. Six of the 16 ureterointestinal anastomoses were complicated by complete ureteral obstruction. Absorption of urea from the intestinal loop was speculated as the reason for significant increases in serum urea nitrogen concentrations in all of the dogs. Serum creatinine concentrations generally remained within the normal range, but were significantly increased from preoperative baseline values by week 30. There was dilation of 12 renal pelves and ureters in seven dogs. Urine bacterial cultures were positive in six dogs, but histologic evidence of pyelonephritis was present in only five kidneys. Ejaculation was not affected by the procedure, but epididymitis was present in five dogs. The dogs could urinate consciously and did not dribble urine continuously; however, they urinated hourly. While the procedure was well tolerated by the dogs, the frequency of urination makes this technique unacceptable for most household pets.

Epididymitis in rams and lambs

This article reviews lamb epididymitis and epididymitis caused by Brucella ovis. Pathogenesis, occurrence, signs and lesions, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment are discussed.

Bacterial epididymitis in two stallions

Two stallions had unilateral bacterial epididymitis attributable to S zooepidemicus infection. Diagnosis was based on bacterial isolation, WBC in the semen, higher than normal blood fibrinogen concentration, and leukocytosis with regenerative left shift. One horse had high seminal pH. Ultrasonography of the involved epididymides revealed changes consistent with the appearance of abnormal accumulation of exudate in the tail of the epididymis. Treatment included unilateral orchiectomy and antibiotic administration. In stallion 1, the infection persisted despite treatment. Treatment result was not available for stallion 2.

Methods for control of lamb epididymitis in large purebred flocks

An autogenous, multivalent, adjuvanted bacterin for epididymitis was tested in flocks of 700 to 800 Suffolk X white-faced lambs. Long-term feeding of low dosages of antibiotics also was tested in the Suffolk flock. Both methods appeared to reduce the incidence of the disease. The incidence of clinical epididymitis and the number of positive culture results from clinically affected rams were significantly reduced.

Brucella ovis excretion in semen of seronegative, clinically normal breeding rams

A commercial flock of Suffolk and Suffolk-cross breeding rams was monitored for 5 years in an effort to control epididymitis caused by Brucella ovis. Scrotal palpation, semen evaluations, and vaccination against B ovis were used the first 3 years. Serologic evaluation (complement fixation and ELISA) was added the fourth year, and bacteriologic culturing was added to the program the fifth year. Semen culturing in the fifth year revealed 9 (37.5%) of 24 rams were actively excreting B ovis; 6 of those 9 rams were seronegative. Neither semen quality nor the presence of WBC in the semen were dependable criteria to detect these seronegative carriers. In spite of the high percentage of B ovis excretors, few clinical signs of epididymitis were detected in the flock during the last 3 years of the study. It was hypothesized that vaccination protected rams against the clinical disease but not the carrier state. The importance of culturing semen for assessment of a control program was emphasized.

Cultural and biochemical characterization of Actinobacillus and Actinobacillus-like species from ram lambs with epididymitis

Cellular, colonial, cultural, and biochemical characteristics of 25 field strains of gram-negative pleomorphic bacilli from rams with epididymitis were compared with Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) strain 29522 and Actinobacillus seminis ATCC strain 15768. Three field strains were identified as A. actinomycetemcomitans, 15 as A. seminis, and 2 as Haemophilus agni; however, 5 strains (3 in group A and 2 in group B) were not identified as species in the genera Actinobacillus, Haemophilus, or Pasteurella based on the taxonomic criteria in Bergey's manual of systematic bacteriology. The 5 Actinobacillus-like organisms in groups A and B were predominantly gram-negative coccobacilli and exhibited less pleomorphism than the 2 Actinobacillus species. The colonial morphologies of groups A and B were similar to the 2 Actinobacillus species but were smaller in diameter and had a pale yellow color. Groups A and B, like the actinobacilli, were facultative anaerobic and capnophilic, did not grow on MacConkey agar, and were catalase-positive and oxidase-positive. Group A reduced nitrate but group B did not. The A. seminis strains utilized ornithine, and group A utilized arginine; but group B did not utilize either ornithine or arginine. All strains failed to utilize lysine or tryptophane. All strains produced acid but no gas from glucose, and the utilization of other carbohydrates varied markedly both between and within the 5 groups of bacteria.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparison and partial characterization of the protein profiles and outer membrane antigens of Actinobacillus species isolated from ram lambs with epididymitis

Three monoclonal antibodies (LG17, LG30, LG33) were used in the indirect fluorescent antibody test, the ELISA, and the immunoelectrotransfer blot technique to identify group-specific and strain-specific epitopes on the outer membranes of Actinobacillus seminis, A actinomycetemcomitans, and 17 field isolates of Actinobacillus spp. The field isolates had been obtained by bacteriologic culture of specimens from ram lambs with epididymitis. Only antibody LG33 consistently had specificity for an outer membrane epitope shared by most of the bacterial isolates tested. Staining of polyacrylamide gels with periodic acid-Schiff reagent, Sudan black B, and Coomassie brilliant blue R250 indicated that target antigens for antibodies LG17 and LG33 contained carbohydrate and lipoprotein components, respectively. The chemical composition of the LG30 target antigen was not determined because of its instability after exposure to sodium dodecyl sulfate. Discontinuous-gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate and spectrophotometric scans of the gels were used to analyze n-octyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside protein extracts from A seminis, A actinomycetemcomitans, and 13 representative field isolates of Actinobacillus spp. Bacterial isolates could be grouped according to their protein profiles. The first group consisted of A seminis, A actinomycetemcomitans, and 7 field isolates of Actinobacillus spp, all of which shared common protein bands with molecular masses of approximately 94 kilodaltons (kD), 64 kD, 60 kD, 52 kD, 44 kD, and 26 kD. The second group was composed of 6 field isolates, each with unique protein profiles; isolates had relatively few protein bands in common. These data suggested that members of the genus Actinobacillus cultured from ram lambs with epididymitis probably include a number of various strains.

Serodiagnosis of Histophilus ovis-associated epididymitis in rams

An ELISA for the detection of antibodies to Histophilus ovis was used to evaluate the association of epididymal lesions in rams with serologic response to His ovis. Comparison of ELISA results for His ovis in groups of rams with epididymal lesions with ELISA results of clinically normal rams (control group) revealed a significant difference (P less than 0.01) between the control group and those rams from which His ovis was isolated. A significant difference (P less than 0.01) was noticed between the control group and rams with lesions from which an organism other than His ovis or Brucella ovis was isolated. Additionally, a significant difference (P less than 0.01) was noticed in ELISA results between the control group and affected rams from which no organism was recovered and in which the epididymal lesion was not limited to the head of the epididymis. A difference was not detected in the His ovis ELISA results between control rams and rams with lesions associated with a B ovis infection or rams from which no organism was recovered and in which the epididymal lesion was limited to the head of the epididymis. The serologic findings in our study suggest that His ovis is more important in the development of epididymitis in rams than culture results alone would indicate.

Immunization with Brucella melitensis Rev 1 against Brucella ovis infection of rams

The efficacy of Brucella Melitensis Rev 1 vaccine (Rev 1) for the prophylaxis of Brucella ovis ram epididymitis was evaluated. Twenty-nine 3-month-old rams were vaccinated with 2 X 10(9) Rev 1 and 14 were revaccinated with 5 X 10(8) at 14 months of age. Six rams remained unvaccinated as a control group. All rams were challenged with 5 X 10(8) B. ovis at 21 months of age. Before being slaughtered 8 weeks later, only one vaccinated ram developed epididymitis while four of the six control rams developed testicular alterations. Genital and selected extragenital organs and lymph nodes were removed at slaughter and inoculated on selective media. B. ovis was isolated from 26.6% of the vaccinated rams, 21.4% of the revaccinated rams and 100% of control rams. Portions of epididymis, testes and vesicular glands were also used for pathological studies. More severe lesions were observed in control rams than in vaccinated ones. In conclusion, these results show that vaccination of young lambs, followed or not by revaccination, is a suitable method for the prophylaxis of B. ovis infection of rams.

Brucella suis biotype 1 infection in a dog

Brucella suis biotype 1 was isolated from the semen of a dog with hindlimb weakness and a large, firm, left epididymis. A semen sample was oligospermic, with many neutrophils, the numbers of which decreased in serial sampling. A card agglutination test for B abortus and a rapid slide agglutination test for B canis were positive. The modified 2-mercaptoethanol slide agglutination test for B canis and the agar gel immunodiffusion test, using B canis cell wall antigen, were negative. At necropsy, chronic granulomatous inflammation was found in, and B suis biotype 1 was isolated from, the left epididymis and prostate gland.

Etiologic significance of bacterial isolates from rams with palpable epididymitis

Identified and partly identified bacterial isolates were obtained from 48 rams of various breeds that had unilateral or bilateral epididymitis. Most of the animals were approximately 1 year of age; a few were older. Brucella ovis, Actinobacillus spp, Corynebacterium spp, Haemophilus spp, Acinetobacter spp, Escherichia coli, Moraxella spp, Staphylococcus spp, Pasteurella spp, Streptococcus spp, and Chlamydia psittaci were isolated. A vaccine strain of B ovis, isolated species of bacteria, and mixtures of isolates of tissue homogenates containing all isolates except B ovis and C psittaci were inoculated via the mucous membranes of the eyes, nares, and prepuce. Palpable epididymitis was not produced by the inoculations. The vaccine strain of B ovis induced complement-fixation reaction in 11 of 20 rams.

Comparison of lipopolysaccharide and outer membrane protein-lipopolysaccharide extracts in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of Brucella ovis infection

Brucella ovis hot saline extracts and petroleum ether-chloroform-phenol lipopolysaccharide were compared in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the diagnosis of B. ovis ram epididymitis. Hot saline extracts detected greater numbers of infected rams. Chemical characterization of the antigens showed that, although both contained lipopolysaccharide, hot saline extracts also contained outer membrane proteins. These proteins were active as antigens in Western blot tests with sera of infected rams, and therefore they explained the better diagnostic results obtained with hot saline extracts. However, compared with lipopolysaccharide, hot saline extracts showed a higher degree of cross-reactivity with sera from smooth B. melitensis-infected animals. This observation might be explained by the presence of B. ovis outer membrane proteins in hot saline extracts which lack the specificity necessary for serological identification of the Brucella species present.

Detection of antibody in rams with contagious epididymitis, using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using whole-cell and sonicated antigens prepared from Brucella ovis, Actinobacillus seminis, and Actinobacillus seminis-like cultures isolated from rams in Wyoming, was able to detect antibody to these antigens in rams with epididymitis. The whole-cell antigens used in this procedure gave lower background values, compared with those of the sonicated antigens. The procedure was able to detect antibody in rams before clinical signs of epididymitis became apparent.