Intas Polivet 21 (1): 13-14 Short Communication

Diagnosis and Management of Actinomycosis -

A Report of Four Bovines
Sandeep Kumar1, Prem Singh and Babu Lal Jangir2
Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology
College of Veterinary Sciences
Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS)
Hisar - 125004 (Haryana)

Abstract
The study was conducted on three cows and one Murrah buffalo presented with history of variable shaped hard growths
on maxillary and mandibular region and difficulty in mastication. Physiological and hematological examination revealed all
parameters were within normal range except absolute neutrophilia. Radiographical examination revealed hard tissue
growth with calcification on mandible or maxillae region. On basis of clinical, radiographic and histopathological examination,
lumpy jaw condition was confirmed. Potassium iodide and Streptopenicillin was given and found effective in small sized
growth. In conclusion, treatment at early stage of lumpy jaw is effective but in advanced cases prognosis is guarded.
Keywords: Actinomycosis, bovine; lumpy jaw and potassium iodide

Introduction Results and Discussion

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Actinomyces bovis is the primary etiologic agent of The detailed clinical history, site of growth, gross
actinomycosis or lumpy jaw in cattle and is an feature and radiographic signs of animals affected
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important cause of economic losses in livestock with lumpy jaw is presented in Table 1. Physiological
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because of its widespread occurrence and poor
response to routine clinical treatment (Blowey and
Weaver, 1990). Actinomycosis is a chronic infectious,
inflammatory disease caused by Actinomyces bovis
in cattle and A. israelii in humans characterized by
lumpy, often suppurating tumors, draining sinuses
that discharge ‘sulfur granules’ (Victoria et al., 1993).
The causative organism of lumpy jaw is Actinomyces
bovis, a gram-positive filamentous anaerobe and
normal inhabitant of oral flora and upper respiratory
tracts of most animals (Smith, 2002).
Materials and Methods
The present study was conducted on three cows and
one Murrah buffalo presented with history of hard
growth of mandibular and maxillary region with
difficulty in mastication (Fig. 1). History revealed
abnormal swelling which gradually increased in size
from two to six month. Radiographic examination was
done to see the invasiveness of growth, osteolysis,
calcification or other changes. The representative
tissue samples from surgically excised growths were
collected in 10% buffered formalin and processed for
routine histopathological examination (Luna, 1968).
1. Scientist and Corresponding author.
E-mail: drskgvet@gmail.com
2. Department of Veterinary Pathology
a - Brand of Zydus Animal Health, Ahmedabad
b - Brand of Intas Animal Health, Ahmedabad
parameters like heart rate, respiration rate and rectal
temperature was found within normal range. There
was difficulty in mastication leads to inappetance
condition. Routine hematological examination
revealed absolute neutrophilia but other parameters
were found within normal range. Radiographic
examination showed lysis of facial bone with
calcification. Histopathological examination revealed
clumps of basophilic filamentous bacteria in vaguely
rosette like configuration surrounded by acute
inflammatory cells (Fig. 2). Diagnosis can be based
on clinical signs alone, but demonstration of
yellowish ‘sulfur granules’ from aspirated purulent
material, as well as histopathology, was confirmatory
for lumpy jaw. Potassium iodide 6-7 gm orally was
given for eight to ten days. Inj. Streptopenicillin
(Dicrysticin-DSa) 5 gram was given for seven days
along with inj. Meloxicam (Melonexb) @ 0.25 mg/ kg
b. wt. for five days intramuscularly. Recovery was
seen in buffalo with small sized growth but no
response was seen in cows with large growths with
osteolysis and calcification (Fig. 3).
Treatment of Actinomycosis with Streptomycin
combined with Potassium iodide @ 6-10 gm/day
orally for 7-10 days was found satisfactory in early
stage of infection (Radostits et al., 2007). Since the
iodide dosing is time consuming and the antibiotics/
antibacterials have poor penetration into the site of

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 Actinomycosis in bovines

Table 1: Clinical history, gross and radiographic findings in animals affected with lumpy jaw

Sr. Animals Age Site of Consis- Approximate

No. (years) growth tency size (cm) Shape Radiographic signs
1 Cow 1.5 Right Hard 20 cm Irregular Bony lysis of horizontal
mandibular oval ramus of mandible with
gingiva calcification of surrounding
tissue like moth eaten
appearance (Fig. 3).
2 Cow 2.5 Right Hard 25 cm Irregular Large round elevation on
mandibular round the lateral aspect of face
and maxillary showing lysis of right
gingiva maxillae bone
3 Buffalo 4 Right Hard 6 cm Irregular Soft tissue swelling on
mandibular round ventral border of horizontal
gingiva ramus of mandible

4 Cow 3.5 Left Hard 20 cm Plateau Swelling on lateral

mandibular shape mandibular aspect with
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gingiva calcification and pocket

containing pus
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Fig. 1: Lumpy jaw condition Fig. 2: Oral cavity growth showing clumps Fig. 3: Bony lysis of horizontal
of basophilic filamentous bacteria in ramus of mandible with calcification
avaguely rosette-like configuration of surrounding tissue like moth
surrounded by acute inflammatory cells eaten appearance
characteristic of actinomycotic granuloma
(H&E 200X)
the infection (Radostits et al., 2007) and proper Luna, L.G. (1968). Manual of histogic staining methods of
treatment protocol for lumpy jaw is still awaited. the armed forces institute of pathology, 3rd Edn. McGraw
Hill Book Company, New York.
Conclusion
On the basis of present study, it was concluded that Radostits, O.M., Gay, C.C., Blood, D.C., Hinchcliff, K.W.
and Constable, P.D. (2007). Veterinary Medicine. 10th Edn.,
treatment of lumpy jaw is possible when presented
Saunders-Elsevier, New York, USA, p. 1045-46.
at early stage but for advanced cases treatment is
still unsatisfactory. Smith, B.P. (2002). Large Animal Internal Medicine, 3rd Edn.
Mosby, St. Louis.
References
Victoria, H.C., Arlene, H. and Christine, J. (1993). Cervico
Blowey, R.W. and Weaver, A.D. (1990). A Colour Atlas of
facial actinomycosis resembling a ruptured cyst. J.
Diseases and Disorders of Cattle. Wolfe Publish. Ltd.
American Academy of Dermatology. 29: 308-11.
London, England. p. 75.
Received on: 09.07.2019
Accepted on: 08.10.2019

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