Isolation of Pasteurellaceae from bovine abortions

A 2-year study was conducted to determine the incidence of Pasteurellaceae in abortion samples submitted for diagnostic evaluation. A total of 687 cases, including 623 with fetal tissues and/or stomach contents and 302 with placenta and/or uterine discharge, were evaluated. Pasteurellaceae were isolated on a nonselective medium from 9 (1.5%), 14 (2.8%), 13 (12.1%), and 42 (17.4%) of the fetal tissues, stomach contents, uterine discharges, and placentas, respectively. A total of 35 (19.9%) of 176 placental samples cultured on both a selective medium for Pasteurellaceae and a nonselective medium were positive for Pasteurellaceae. Fifteen (42.9%) of these isolates were detected only on the selective medium, whereas 5 (14.2%) were detected only on the nonselective medium and 15 (42.9%) grew on both media. Placentitis of different severity was evident in 13 (68.4%) of the 19 placentas from which Pasteurellaceae were isolated in the absence of other known abortifacient agents.