Meningoencephalitis in an adult cow due to Mortierella woifli.
A 7-year-old dairy cow presented with clinical signs of neurologic disease. Despite treatment with penicillin, the cow died 36 hours after initial presentation. Necropsy examination revealed multiple foci of hemorrhage within the cerebrum and thickened meninges. Additionally, endometritis and consolidation of approximately 30% of both lungs was observed. Histology revealed necrotizing vasculitis, infarction, and hemorrhage within sections of the brain, uterus, and lung. Large numbers of intralesional fungal hyphae were visible. Because only formalin-fixed tissue was available, polymerase chain reaction was used to make an etiologic diagnosis of Mortierella wolfii.
Munday
John S
JS
Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
Laven
Richard A
RA
Orbell
Geoff M B
GM
Pandey
Sushil K
SK
D000818:Animals; D001344:Autopsy / Q000662:veterinary; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D054022:Cerebrum / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D008590:Meningoencephalitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D020094:Mortierella / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction