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The Bovine Lung in Biomedical Research: Visually Guided Bronchoscopy, Intrabronchial Inoculation and In Vivo Sampling Techniques
Published on: July 3, 2014
Bartonella bovis isolated from a cow with endocarditis
Erdal Erol1, Carney Jackson, Ying Bai
1University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40512-4125, USA. erdal.erol@uky.edu
Summary
A slow-growing Bartonella bovis bacterium was identified as the cause of death in a pregnant Angus cow. Extended incubation periods are crucial for culturing Bartonella species in veterinary diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Bartonella species are emerging zoonotic pathogens that can cause various diseases in animals and humans.
- Diagnosis of Bartonella infections can be challenging due to the fastidious and slow-growing nature of these bacteria.
Observation:
- A 7-year-old pregnant Angus cow was found deceased, exhibiting aortic valve lesions characterized by fibrous connective tissue and bacterial colonies.
- Microscopic examination revealed Gram-negative coccobacilli within the affected aortic valve tissue.
- Culture of heart valve samples yielded slow-growing, grayish-opaque bacterial colonies after 7 days of incubation.
Findings:
- Biochemical tests indicated the isolate was catalase, oxidase, and urease negative, with no changes in litmus milk, TSI, or SIM media.
- Molecular analysis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the presence of Bartonella species, with gene sequences showing high homology to Bartonella bovis.
- Genetic sequencing of gltA, ribC, ssrA, and 16S ribosomal RNA genes demonstrated 100% homology to Bartonella bovis type strain.
Implications:
- This case highlights Bartonella bovis as a potential cause of fatal cardiovascular disease in cattle.
- Veterinary diagnostic laboratories should consider extended incubation times for bacterial cultures to improve the detection of slow-growing Bartonella species.
- Awareness of Bartonella's slow-growing nature is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective disease management in livestock.
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