Melioidosis in a goat

Melioidosis was diagnosed in an adult Boer goat ewe. The owner initially noticed swelling of one half of the udder. Several firm nodules developed in the affected part of the udder 2 weeks later. At necropsy, abscesses containing a creamy to yellowish-green exudate were found in the mammary gland and one of the kidneys. Pure cultures of Pseudomonas pseudomallei were isolated from the abscesses in the udder and inoculation of male guinea-pigs with the causative bacterium, produced a Shwartzman reaction in the testis and serositis as well as necrotic lesions, in parenchymatous organs. The isolate showed sensitivity to amoxycillin-clavulanate, but resistance to a number of other antimicrobials. This appears to be the first case of melioidosis in a domestic animal in South Africa.