- Corynebacterium sp. (Firmicutes (Gram positive staining cell-walls))
Clinical signs:
- Anorexia and lethargy noted for three days.
- Death.
(J1.34.w5)
Gross pathology:
- Lungs:
- Diffuse swelling, failure to collapse. Dark red, wet.
- Scattered 1mm diameter grey foci.
- Loose adhesion of dorsal portion of right lung to the pericardial sac.
- Liver: Congestion.
- Tongue: Erosions.
(J1.34.w5)
Histopathology:
- Lungs:
- Necrosuppurative bronchopneumonia with pulmonary abscesses.
- Bronchioles, alveolar ducts and alveoli contained fibrin, proteinaceous fluid, neutrophils and histiocytes, multifocal necrosis of alveolar septa and obliteration by neutrophils.
- Colonies of Gram-positive bacteria associated with the inflammatory cells and necrotic areas.
- Pulmonary microabscesses: foci of liquefactive necrosis partially to completely encapsulated by fibrous connective tissue.
- Liver: Congestion.
- Tongue: Erosions.
- Heart: Suppurative epicarditis and myocarditis. Epicardium expanded by cellular infiltrate (neutrophils, eosinophils, a few mast cells, erythrocytes, histiocytes) and fibrin. The infiltrate extended into the adjacent myocardium of the right atrium and ventricle.
- Spleen: Extramedullary haematopoiesis.
(J1.34.w5)
- Corynebacterium sp. isolated from the lung (no bacterial
growth from kidney, liver, lymph node).
- Biochemically distinct from Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, Corynebacterium renale, Corynebacterium equi and Corynebacterium kutcheri.
- Biochemically similar to Corynebacterium xerosis except nitrate negative.
(J1.34.w5)
Prevention:
- Good temperature control (25-30°C for the African hedgehog Atelerix albiventris - Four-toed hedgehog) and provision of clean absorbent bedding are suggested to reduce the incidence of pneumonia. (J1.34.w5)
