Epididymitis Caused by Brucella ovis in a Southern Ontario Sheep Flock.
Epididymitis was diagnosed in three rams in a commercial sheep flock in southern Ontario. The affected rams had palpably enlarged epididymides and two rams had semen which contained inflammatory cells and was of poor quality. Serum compliment fixation titers for Brucella ovis were 1:20, 1:80 and 1:90. Five other rams in the flock were clinically normal and without titers. Two of the affected rams had lesions similar to those produced by experimental infection with B. ovis. The infection in the rams had no apparent affect on ewe performance. The source of the infection remains unknown, but the rams were purchased from a flock which had imported ewes from the western U.S.A.
Serology as an aid to diagnosis: uses and abuses.
The importance of correct interpretation of serological test results, common sources of error and problems associated with tests are discussed. In bovine brucellosis, a disease which is ideally suited to serological diagnosis, foetal contact with infection may cause the calf to be a serologically negative carrier. The immune tolerant animal resulting from foetal contact with virus is a major problem in the serological detection of border disease. In Johnes' disease and to a lesser extent in Brucella ovis and leptospiral infections, problems associated with sensitivity and specificity of the tests are stressed. Serovar specificity, cumbersome test procedures and negative tests in the incubation period cause difficulty in the interpretation of serological test results for leptospirosis. The importance of clinical examination, herd histories and alternative diagnostic procedures is important in all diseases. Wherever possible, flocks or herds should be maintained in specific disease-free state. Selection of stock from accredited herds or flocks is the most certain method of buying non-infected animals.
Bacterial isolates associated with epididymitis in rams from Idaho and eastern Oregon flocks.
Testicles from 47 rams with palpable lesions of epididymitis were subjected to bacterial culture. Of the testicles examined by culture technique, 49% were positive for bacterial growth. The 2 most frequent isolates were Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (23.4% of the testicular pairs) and Brucella ovis (14.9% of the testicular pairs). Heretofore A actinomycetem-comitans has not been reported as a cause of epididymitis in rams.