Isolation of Pasteurella haemolytica from tonsillar biopsies of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.
Isolations of Pasteurella haemolytica were compared from tonsillar biopsies versus nasal passages for 29 free-ranging Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) from central Idaho. Overall, P. haemolytica was isolated from 11 (38%) of 29 sheep. Two (18%) of the 11 positive samples were from only nasal passages compared to eight (73%) from tonsillar biopsies. Pasteurella haemolytica biotype T was isolated from tonsils of nine sheep and from nasal biopsies. Pasteurella haemolytica biotype T was isolated from tonsils of nine sheep and from nasal passages of only one sheep. Two sheep were positive for P. haemolytica biotype A from nasal passages. Culturing tonsillar biopsies as compared to nasal swab samples was a more reliable technique in detecting P. haemolytica, especially biotype T, in bighorn sheep.
Dunbar
M R
MR
Cascade Veterinary Clinic, Idaho 83611.
Ward
A C
AC
Power
G
G
D000818:Animals; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000382:microbiology; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000382:microbiology*; D010325:Pasteurella / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010326:Pasteurella Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012418:Ruminants / Q000382:microbiology*