ACTINOBACILLOSIS

Common name: Wooden tongue

General information:

 Actinobacillosis is a chronic disease of cattle caused by Actinobacillus

lignieresi, which is a small, non motile, rod shaped, gram negative,
anerobic organism.
 It is manifested by inflammation of the tongue and less frequently lymph
nodes of the head and of even the viscera and carcass.
 Cattle are mostly affected. Sheep affected rarely.
 A. lignieresi is an obligatory organism of upper respiratory and alimentary
mucosa. Infection to the soft tissue occurs through wounds and
abrasions caused by foreign bodies.
 In cattle, the tongue is mostly affected. Gums, pharynx, palate and
neighbouring lymph gland etc. may also be affected.

Pathogenesis:

The organism affects only the soft structures and spreads by way of
lymphatics and so the lymph glands are frequently affected.

Whenever, the organism is lodged, it incites a pyogranulomatous

inflammation and causes multiple abscess and extensive fibrosis.

Around the central colony of the organism „Indian club‟ like structure is
found (Thought to be a product of the reaction of host to the invading
organisms; probably originating from macrophage).

Peripheral to these clubs a zone of neutrophil, histiocyte (which may

eventually become epitheloid cells), histocytic giant cells is found. Around
this layer, there may be lymphocytes, plasma cells and eosinophils.

The neutrophils may migrate with bacteria in situ, there by setting up

secondary centers of infection.

Such neighbouring lesions may coalesce to form larger nodules in which

Sulphur granules – colonies of organisms can be seen. These nodules are
surrounded by dense fibrous connective tissue capsule.

In some lesions, the center may liquefy and suppurate. Coalescence of

many suppurating lesions may result in abscesses.

It is not a complete lecture. Students are advised for necessary edition and addition.
Clinical findings:

1. Loss of appetite
2. Excessive salivation and difficult chewing
3. Swollen tongue
4. Mouth erosions
5. Enlarged parotid and retropharyngeal lymph nodes etc.

Gross Lesions:

1. Enlarged tongue showing tough fibrous consistency (“wooden tongue”)

but the surface of the tongue is remaining intact.
2. A cluster of small yellowish nodules and erosions of tongue mucosa.
3. Granulomatous lesions in the lymph nodes.
4. The cut surface contains 2-3 mm irregular yellow granules which have
appearance of sulfer granules.
5. Marked thickening of the lower part of oesophagus and stomach wall
6. Raised plaques and erosions in the mucosa of rumen and reticulum
7. Liver and diaphragm lesions due to contact spread from reticulum

Microscopic lesions:

1. Typical actinobacillosis lesions in the lymph nodes and organs

consist of greenish-yellow thick creamy pus with “sulphur
granules”. These are bacterial colonies surrounded by eosinophilic
radiating clubs shaped structure towards periphery. These create a
rosette like structure.
2. Rosettes are surrounded by neutrophil, macrophages, epitheloid
cells, Langhan‟s type of giant cell, lymphocyte and plasma cells.
3. Depending on the duration, there is fibrous encapsulation
surrounding the pyogranuloma.

Fig. Actinobacillosis of the tongue. The tongue is enlarged, firm and contains
numerous granulomatous lesions. It is called “wooden tongue” because of its
firmness due to diffuse proliferation of fibrous tissue.

It is not a complete lecture. Students are advised for necessary edition and addition.
Fig. Actinobacillosis. Multifocal, well demarcated yellow lesions in the
retropharyngeal lymph node of a bovine animal.

Diagnosis:

1. Clinical signs and symptoms

2. Gross and microscopic examination
3. Examinations of stained pus smear.
4. Histologic examination of lesions.
5. Agglutination test.
6. Isolation and identification of organisms
7. Differentiate from Lumpy jaw, Rabies, TB, Lymphocytoma, staphylococcal
granuloma.

Indian club:

It is not a complete lecture. Students are advised for necessary edition and addition.