title: A new predilection site of Mycoplasma bovis: Postsurgical seromas in beef cattle.
abstract: Mycoplasma bovis is a highly contagious bacterium, which predominantly causes chronic pneumonia, otitis and arthritis in calves and mastitis in adult cattle. In humans, Mycoplasma species have been associated with post-surgical infections. The present study aimed to identify the bacteria associated with three outbreaks of infected seromas after caesarian section in Belgian Blue beef cattle. A total of 10 cases occurred in three herds which were in close proximity of each other and shared the same veterinary practice. M. bovis could be cultured from seroma fluid in five of the six referred animals, mostly in pure culture and was isolated from multiple chronic sites of infection (arthritis and mastitis) as well. DNA fingerprinting of the isolates targeting two insertion sequence elements suggested spread of M. bovis from chronic sites of infection (udder and joints) to the postsurgical seromas. Identical genetic profiles were demonstrated in two animals from two separate farms, suggesting spread between farms. Mortality rate in the referred animals positive for M. bovis in a seroma was 80% (4/5), despite intensive treatment. A massive increase in antimicrobial use was observed in every affected farm. These observations demonstrate involvement of mycoplasmas in outbreaks of postsurgical seromas in cattle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Electronic address: Linde.Gille@ugent.be.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gille
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, 122 Laenggassstrasse, Postfach 8466, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pilo
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Valgaeren
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Driessche
authors.affiliation: Animal Health Service Flanders, DGZ Vlaanderen, Deinse Horsweg, 9031 Drongen, Belgium.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Loo
authors.affiliation: Department for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 109A, 3001 Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bodmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, 122 Laenggassstrasse, Postfach 8466, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bürki
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boyen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Haesebrouck
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deprez
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pardon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000635:transmission; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D007596:Joints / Q000382:microbiology; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000382:microbiology; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D045682:Mycoplasma bovis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D049291:Seroma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D004251:DNA Transposable Elements
keywords: Caesarean section; DNA fingerprinting; Mycoplasma bovis; Seroma