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Recurrent outbreak of Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex-associated meningoencephalitis in farmed mink

Megan J Crawford1, Kimberley N Sebastian2, Elizabeth Elsmo3

  • 1College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Rd, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.

Journal of Comparative Pathology
|May 12, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Two Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC) outbreaks caused neurological disease and death in farmed mink. This is the first report linking SBSEC to meningoencephalitis and septicaemia in this species.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Animal Pathology

Background:

  • The Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC) is a common bacterium in animal and human gastrointestinal tracts.
  • While typically commensal, SBSEC can act as an opportunistic pathogen, causing serious infections like meningitis, endocarditis, and septicaemia.
  • Previous reports of SBSEC causing disease in mink are rare, with only one documented case of endocarditis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document and characterize two distinct outbreaks of SBSEC infection in farmed mink.
  • To identify the causative agent and pathological effects of the disease in affected mink populations.
  • To establish SBSEC as a pathogen responsible for meningoencephalitis and septicaemia in farmed mink.

Main Methods:

  • Case reporting of two separate disease outbreaks in farmed mink over two consecutive years.
  • Clinical observation of neurological signs preceding mortality.
  • Necropsy, histopathology, and aerobic bacterial culture of affected animals, focusing on brain, liver, lungs, and kidneys.

Main Results:

  • Two outbreaks of SBSEC infection occurred in farmed mink one year apart, with significant mortality rates (5,000 in 2021, 500 in 2022 per 100,000).
  • Affected mink exhibited neurological signs, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and lung congestion.
  • Histopathology confirmed suppurative meningoencephalitis and neutrophilic inflammation in multiple organs, with SBSEC isolates identified in the brain and liver.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first evidence implicating the Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex (SBSEC) in causing meningoencephalitis and septicaemia in farmed mink.
  • SBSEC poses a significant threat to mink farming, capable of causing substantial mortality and severe neurological disease.
  • Further research into SBSEC pathogenesis and control strategies in mink populations is warranted.
Keywords:
Neogale visonStreptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complexfarmed minkmeningoencephalitissepticaemia

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