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A rheumatoid-like arthritis in calves
The Cornell Veterinarian
|January 1, 1976
Summary
Rheumatoid-like arthritis in heifers caused lameness and joint swelling. Antiglobulins were detected, suggesting an immune response that may explain difficulties in identifying the causative agent.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Immunology
- Animal Health
Background:
- Arthritis in dairy replacement heifers presents with lameness and joint effusion.
- Purulent synovial fluid indicates severe joint inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the etiology and characteristics of an arthritis outbreak in dairy replacement heifers.
- To determine the similarities between this condition and rheumatoid arthritis in humans.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination including joint aspiration and synovial fluid analysis.
- Bacterial and Mycoplasma cultures from joint aspirates.
- Detection of antiglobulins in serum and synovial fluid using double diffusion precipitin tests.
Main Results:
- Heifers exhibited lameness, joint swelling, and purulent synovial fluid.
- Mycoplasma was isolated from one joint; other bacterial cultures were negative.
- Antiglobulins were present in both serum and synovial fluid.
Conclusions:
- The condition was termed rheumatoid-like arthritis due to clinical and pathological similarities to human rheumatoid arthritis.
- The presence of antiglobulins may indicate an autoimmune component or antibody presence in synovial fluid, complicating pathogen identification.