Disease Summary

Alternative Names (Synonyms)

• Caseous lymphadenitis ("cheesy gland" disease) (in sheep and goats). (B47.24.w24)
• Ulcerative lymphadenitis (in horses). (B47.24.w24)

Disease Type

Infectious/Non-Infectious Agent associated with the Disease

• Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis  (B47.24.w24)
• Synonyms:
  • Corynebacterium ovis  (B47.24.w24)
  • Presz-Nocard bacillus  (B47.24.w24)
  • Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis ovis (J18.32.w1)
  • Bacillus pseudotuberculosis  (J18.32.w1)
  • Bacillus pseudotuberculosis ovis (J18.32.w1)
  • Pseudotuberkulose-Bakterien (J18.32.w1)
  • Corynebacterium preisz-nocardi (J18.32.w1)
  • Bacillus of Preisz-Guinard (J18.32.w1)
  • Bacillus of Preisz-Nocard (J18.32.w1)

Infective "Taxa"

• Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (Firmicutes (Gram positive staining cell-walls)(Phylum-Division))

Non-infective agents

Physical agents

References

Disease Author

Major References / Reviews

Code and Title List

• B47.24.w24
• J3.89.w2, J18.32.w1

Other References

Code and Title List

Detailed Clinical and Pathological Characteristics

• Fatal infection with numerous purulent foci in the lungs and one in the kidney. In the single recorded case of infection in Erinaceus albiventris (Atelerix albiventris - Four-toed hedgehog) (J3.89.w2)

Clinical Characteristics

• Caseous lymphadenitis:
  • Primary wound infection results in local inflammation, frequently unnoticed.(B47.24.w24)
  • Infection spreads to the regional lymph node.
    • Lymph node slowly enlarged, becoming pus-filled.
    • Pus is green, odourless, initially thin but later thick and caseous.
    • Pus may become concentrically layered (like an onion). (B47.24.w24)
    • Nodes may become caseous masses with an enclosing connective-tissue capsule. (J18.32.w1)
  • Infection spreads to superficial lymph nodes. (B47.24.w24)
    • In goats, commonly affecting superficial lymph nodes of the head and neck.  (B47.24.w24)
  • Eventual progression to weight loss, emaciation, general weakness and death. (B47.24.w24)
    • Weight loss and eventual weakness may be the only signs in individuals with deep internal abscesses.  (B47.24.w24)

Horses:

• Ulcerative lymphangitis:
  • Nodules on the legs (particularly the fetlocks) form then break down to ulcers.
  • Ulcers exude thick greenish pus, usually mixed with blood.
  • Lesions fill with cicatricial tissue and heal.
  • Other lesions appear near the original lesions. (B47.24.w24)
  • May heal after a few weeks or progress slowly for months or years. (B47.24.w24)
• Pigeon fever:
  • Pectoral, lower abdominal and inguinal lesions.
  • Slowly-developing, large painful abscesses.
  • May recur after opening and draining. (B47.24.w24)
  • Infection occasionally may become generalised and fatal. (B47.24.w24)

• Fatal infection in the single recorded case of infection in Erinaceus albiventris [Atelerix albiventris - Four-toed hedgehog]. (J3.89.w2)

Incubation

Mortality / Morbidity

• Fatality reported in the single recorded case of infection in Erinaceus albiventris [Atelerix albiventris - Four-toed hedgehog]. (J3.89.w2)

Pathology

• Abscessation of superficial lymph nodes, with green, thick and sometimes concentrically-layered pus. (B47.24.w24)
• Lungs, mediastinal or mesenteric lymph nodes may contain characteristic abscesses.  (B47.24.w24)
• Emaciation in chronic cases.  (B47.24.w24)

In the single recorded case of infection in Erinaceus albiventris [Atelerix albiventris - Four-toed hedgehog] (J3.89.w2):

• Pulmonary: 
  • Lung consolidation affecting approximately half of each lung. (J3.89.w2)
  • Numerous purulent foci in the lungs. (J3.89.w2)

Histopathology:

In the single recorded case of infection in Erinaceus albiventris [Atelerix albiventris - Four-toed hedgehog]. (J3.89.w2):

• Pulmonary: 
  • Large necrotic foci centred on large bacterial colonies, with moderate inflammatory cell infiltrate, mainly lymphocytes, around the foci.(J3.89.w2)
  • Alveoli adjacent to the foci fluid-filled. (J3.89.w2)
• Renal: In one kidney a single necrotic focus (similar to the foci in the lungs).(J3.89.w2)

Human Health Considerations

• Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection has been recorded, rarely, causing disease in humans.  (B47.24.w24)

Disease has been reported in either the wild or in captivity in:

• Sheep, goats, horses, camels, deer and mules. (B47.24.w24)
• Rarely in cattle and in humans. (B47.24.w24)
• Sheep, cattle, camels, goats, deer (mule deer), horses, mules, pigs, rodents (nutria and laboratory mice), monkeys, human and a duck.

In Hedgehogs:

• A single recorded case of infection in Erinaceus albiventris [Atelerix albiventris - Four-toed hedgehog].(J3.89.w2):

Further information on Host species has only been incorporated for  species groups for which a full Wildpro "Health and Management" module has been completed (i.e. for which a comprehensive literature review has been undertaken). Host species with further information available are listed below:

Host Species List

• --

(List does not contain all other species groups affected by this infectious agent)

Disease has been specifically reported in Free-ranging populations of:

Host Species List

• --

(List does not contain all other species groups affected by this infectious agent)

General Information on Environmental Factors/Events and Seasonality

• Incidence of "pigeon fever" is seasonal, possibly related to transmission by arthropods. (B47.24.w24)

Regions / Countries where the Infectious Agent or Disease has been recorded

In sheep and goats:

• Common in many areas of the world. (B47.24.w24)

In horses: 

• Pigeon fever is common in California, USA. (B47.24.w24)

Regions / Countries where the Infectious Agent or Disease has been recorded in Free-ranging populations

General Information on Investigation / Diagnosis

• Characteristic lesions affecting the superficial lymph nodes, with green caseous pus.  (B47.24.w24)
  • Confirmed by isolation of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis from lesions. (B47.24.w24)
• Diagnosis of cases with only deep (internal) abscesses may be difficult in the live animal.  (B47.24.w24)

• Physical Examination of Mammals
• Necropsy of Mammals
• Chapter 2 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen Collection and Preservation
• Chapter 3 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen shipment
• Appendix A - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Sample specimen history form

Similar Diseases (Differential Diagnosis)

Specific Medical Treatment

• Antibiotic treatment is generally ineffective due to the intracellular location of the organism, the thick capsule around abscesses, and the antibiotic-binding properties of proteins found in pus.  (B47.24.w24)
  • Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is sensitive (in vitro) to penicillin (penicillin G), ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, gentamicin , tetracycline. (B47.24.w24)
  • Antibiotics may be of use in light superficial infections.  (B47.24.w24) 

• Treatment and Care - General

General Nursing and Surgical Techniques

• Treatment and Care - General

Preventative Measures

• Vaccines do not provide a high level of protection but may reduce the number and size of abscesses.  (B47.24.w24)
• Development of live attenuated vaccines may be required in order to stimulate cell-mediated immunity.  (B47.24.w24)

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• Treatment and Care - General

Environmental and Population  Control Measures

Hedgehogs

• Environmental and Population Management - General