Mycoplasma alkalescens-induced arthritis in dairy calves

Mycoplasma alkalescens was isolated from 6 of 7 synovial fluid samples taken by arthrocentesis from 3-week- to 4-month-old Holstein-Friesian calves with severe arthritis (tibiotarsal or carpal joints). Approximately 30 of 215 calves in the herd were affected. In one 6-week-old calf, M alkalescens was isolated from the liver, right tibiotarsal joint, right and left popliteal lymph nodes, and an exposed umbilical artery. Intraarticular inoculations of broth cultures of M alkalescens initially induced a febrile response and then severe fibrinopurulent arthritis. Intravenous inoculation of M alkalescens induced only a febrile response. The natural disease may have been a complication of umbilical exposure to M alkalescens, causing omphaloarteritis and subsequent arthritis. Before and during the arthritis problem, the umbilicus of newborn calves was dipped in an organic iodine product with 10% glycerin, marketed as a postmilking teat dip. After the cause of the arthritis was determined, the umbilicus of each newborn calf was treated with 7% tincture of iodine and no new cases of arthritis occurred.