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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #286673

Title: Necrotic pharyngitis associated with Mycoplasma bovis infections in American bison (Bison bison)

Author
item DYER, NEIL - North Dakota State University
item Register, Karen
item MISKIMINS, DALE - South Dakota State University
item NEWELL, TERESA - North Dakota State University

Submitted to: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/17/2013
Publication Date: 3/1/2013
Citation: Dyer, N., Register, K.B., Miskimins, D., Newell, T. 2013. Necrotic pharyngitis associated with Mycoplasma bovis infections in American bison (Bison bison). Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. 25(2):301-303.

Interpretive Summary: Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) has recently emerged as a significant and costly infectious disease problem in bison, generally associated with severe pneumonia. Here we describe three diagnostic cases in which M. bovis is strongly implicated as a causative agent of necrotic pharyngitis. The bacterium was isolated from lesions of the pharynx or lung of three American bison, at two different locations in the upper Midwest, with severe, necrotic pharyngeal abscesses. Tissue pathology typical of M. bovis infection in bovines was observed. Other potential pathogens were isolated from some samples but only M. bovis was consistently isolated from all the affected animals. Veterinarians and producers working with bison should be aware that M. bovis may be associated with pharyngitis in bison.

Technical Abstract: Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) has recently emerged as a significant and costly infectious disease problem in bison, generally presenting as severe, caseonecrotic pneumonia. Here we describe three diagnostic cases in which M. bovis is strongly implicated as a causative agent of necrotic pharyngitis. The bacterium was isolated from lesions of the pharynx or lung of three American bison, at two different locations in the upper Midwest, with severe, necrotic pharyngeal abscesses. Caseonecrotic inflammation typical of M. bovis infection in bovines was observed. Other potential pathogens were isolated from some samples but only M. bovis was consistently isolated from all the affected animals. Veterinarians and producers working with bison should be aware that M. bovis may be associated with pharyngitis in bison.