Electron microscopic examination of cells of Pasteurella haemolytica-A1 in experimentally infected cattle

Several modern electron microscopy techniques were used to examine Pasteurella haemolytica (biotype A, serotype 1) (strain B122) recovered from experimentally infected cattle and in situ within the lung tissue of experimentally infected cattle. Glycocalyx four to five times thicker than that seen on P. haemolytica grown in vitro was evident on bacterial cells recovered from live infected calves by pulmonary lavage. Fimbriae were also present on cells recovered by lavage. A thick glycocalyx was also seen on P. haemolytica-A1 within the lungs of experimentally infected cattle at necropsy. In summary, cells of P. haemolytica-A1 in experimentally infected cattle have fimbriae and glycocalyx on their cell surfaces and these structures appear to be important in bacterial colonization of the bovine respiratory tract and pathogenesis of shipping fever (Pasteurella) pneumonia.