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Metritis, Valvular Endocarditis, and Septicemia by Actinobacillus equuli in a Gilt in the United States

Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

Abstract

A 1-year-old pregnant Yorkshire gilt was found dead with no previous clinical signs. Gross findings included metritis, splenomegaly, and valvular endocarditis. Bacterial endocarditis (in the mitral and tricuspid valves) and metritis with dissemination to multiple organs was diagnosed by using histologic examination. Gram-negative coccobacillary organisms present in the valvular lesions were characterized as Actinobacillus equuli by using polymerase chain reaction examination on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE). A. equuli is rarely reported as a cause of septicemia in pigs in Europe. A. equuli in pigs in the United States has been reported only twice and not, to our knowledge, in the last 30 years. This is the first time that molecular techniques have been used to characterize this organism in FFPE porcine tissues.

Key words: Actinobacillus equuli; endocarditis; metritis; pathology; pig; polymerase chain reaction.

Request reprints from Dr. José Ramos-Vara, Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Purdue University, 406 South University, West Lafayette, IN 47907 (USA). E-mail: ramosja{at}purdue.edu

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