Pathogenesis of Liver Abscesses in Cattle

Liver abscesses are a bacterial infection, which occurs because of entry, via portal vein, of pyogenic bacteria into the hepatic parenchyma. Liver abscesses are a polymicrobial infection; however, Fusobacterium necrophorum, a ruminal bacterium, is the primary etiologic agent. Ruminal acidosis disrupts the protective barrier function of the ruminal epithelium and facilitates entry and colonization of F. necrophorum in the ruminal wall and subsequent entry into the portal circulation. Virulence factors of F. necrophorum contribute to the evasion of host defense mechanisms and cause tissue damage to set up an infection in the liver. The potential role of the hindgut in pathogenesis remains to be investigated.