Unilateral orchitis and epididymitis caused by Salmonella enterica subspecies diarizonae infection in a ram.
A case of unilateral suppurative epididymo-orchitis associated with Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) infection is described in a 2-year-old ram. Gross lesions were characterized by severe enlargement of the scrotal contents, fibrous adhesions between testicular layers, coexistence of epididymal abscesses and foci of fibrinous exudate, and testicular atrophy. Microscopically, testicular and epididymal microabscesses and diffuse inflammatory infiltrates with abundant macrophages containing short Gram-negative rods were observed. Superimposed on the chronic lesions were fibrin deposits with clusters of neutrophils, as well as walled-off granulation tissue. Bacterial colonies were also identified in thrombosed spermatic cord vessels, scrotal lymph nodes, lung, and liver. S. enterica subsp. diarizonae serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) was isolated from the affected testis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of infection of the testis and epididymis by Salmonella in rams. This organism must be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of ovine genital infections.
Ferreras
Ma del Carmen
Mdel C
Dpto. Patologia Animal: Medicina Animal (Anatomia Patológica), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana, s/n, 24071 León, Spain. dmamfe@unileon.es
Muñioz
Maria
M
Pérez
Valentin
V
Benavides
Julio
J
García-Pariente
Carlos
C
Fuertes
Miguel
M
Adúriz
Gorka
G
García-Marín
Juan Francisco
JF
D000818:Animals; D004823:Epididymitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009920:Orchitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019779:Salmonella enterica / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012611:Scrotum / Q000473:pathology; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology