Actinobacillosis (wooden tongue)

Important Diseases of Domestic Animals which effect on the economic position and bad effect on Animal Health

1. ACTINOBACILLOSIS
(WOODEN TONGUE)
Dr Nadir Hussain
DVM,UVAS Lahore

2. Definition
infectious disease of ruminants
caused by actinobacillus lignieresii
inflammation of soft tissue of the head
especially tongue

3. Etiology
Actinobacillus lignieresii
gram-negative coccibacilli

4. Epidemiology
worldwide in distribution
sporadic occurrence on individual farms
most instances --- occasional cases
sheep flocks a morbidity rate up to 25%
Rare in horses.

5. Source of infection and
transmission
Actinobacillus lignieresii --- normal inhabitant of
oral cavity and rumen
susceptible to ordinary environmental influences
does not survive -- more than 5 days on hay or
straw
 Infection in soft tissues --- damage to the oral
mucosa.

6. Source of infection and
transmission
ulcerating or penetrating lesions to sulcus of
tongue
penetrating lesions in the apex
 lacerations to the side of the body of the tongue
Actinobacillus granulomas on atypical sites
external nares / jugular furrow
Iatrogenic infection of surgical wound incision
Infection of cheeks---bilateral

7. Pathogenesis
Local infection --- acute inflammatory reaction
 development of granulomatous lesions
 necrosis and suppuration occur
discharges of pus to the exterior

8. Pathogenesis
Spread to regional lymph nodes
Lingual involvement --- interfere
prehension and mastication

9. Clinical Findings
onset of glossal actinobacillosis is usually acute
unable to eat for 48 hours
excessive salivation and gentle chewing of tongue
tongue is swollen and hard---at the base
tip normal
 Manipulation of tongue causes pain, resentment
 Nodules and ulcers on the side of the tongue

12. Clinical Findings
later stages---acute inflammation --- replaced
fibrous tissue--- tongue ---shrunken and immobile
interference with prehension
Lymphadenitis is common
enlargement of sub-maxillary and parotid nodes
 Local firm swellings ---- rupture --- discharge of
thin, non-odorous pus

13. Clinical Findings
Healing is slow and relapse is common
Enlargement of retropharyngeal nodes --- interfere
swallowing --- loud snoring respiration
Cutaneous actinobacillosis --- granulomas ---
external nares, cheeks, skin, eyelid, hind limbs

External trauma -- usual initiating cause.

14. Clinical Pathology/Diagnosis
Purulent discharges --- sulfur bodies -- granular in
nature
microscopic examination--club-like rosettes with
a central mass of bacteria
Examination of smear or culture of pus---A.
lignieresii

15. Differential diagnosis
Foreign bodies in the mouth
Rabies
Esophageal obstruction
Tuberculosis
Cutaneous Lymphosarcoma

16. Treatment
Iodides --- standard treatment
Oral or IV dosing of iodides
Potassium iodide, 6-10 gm/day for 7-10 days,
given orally
Treatment may continued until iodism develops

17. Treatment
Lacrimation, anorexia, coughing, and appearance
of dandruff ---maximum systemic level of iodine
NaI (70 mg/kg BW) IV 10-20% solution in one
dose
 One dose of potassium iodide or one injection of
sodium iodide is usually sufficient for soft tissue
lesions,
acute signs in actinobacillosis disappear in 24-48
hours after treatment.

18. Treatment
sulfonamides, penicillin, streptomycin, and the
broad spectrum antibiotics
Streptomycin at 5 gm/day for 3 days IM -- good
results in actinomycosis -- when combined with
iodides and surgical treatment
Isoniazid at 10 mg/kg BW orally or IM for 3-4
weeks with iodides