Isolation of Nocardia mexicana from focal proliferative tenosynovitis and arthritis in a steer. Issue 5 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Owen, H; Buckle, K; Olm, J; Leitner, M; Pandey, S; Gaughan, JB; Sullivan, ML; Lees, AM; Gibson, JS
• Is Part Of: Australian veterinary journal. Volume 93:Issue 5(2015)
• Page Start: 170
• Page End: 173
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Australia -- Periodicals; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1111/avj.12308
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-0423

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="avj12308-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Case report</title> <p>An 18‐month‐old Charolais steer was presented with lameness and fluctuant swelling of the right stifle joint, which yielded neutrophils on fine‐needle aspiration. A diagnosis of bacterial proliferative tenosynovitis and arthritis was made on postmortem and histological examination. Culture and 16S rRNA sequencing identified a <italic>Nocardia</italic> sp. with 99% homology with the corresponding DNA fragment of <italic>N</italic>. <italic>mexicana</italic> DSM 44952. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed the isolate was susceptible to co‐trimoxazole and third‐generation cephalosporins.</p> </sec> <sec id="avj12308-sec-0101" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>We report the first case, both in Australia and internationally, of proliferative tenosynovitis and arthritis caused by <italic>Nocardia</italic> spp. infection in a bovine and the first report of pathology attributed to <italic>N</italic>. <italic>mexicana</italic> in a veterinary patient. Given the limited susceptibility of the bacteria, the poor antimicrobial penetration that would be expected and the morphological changes that had taken place in the joint; the steer would have required protracted antimicrobial treatment in addition to invasive debridement of the lesion. This case emphasises the importance of routinely performing cytology and extended incubation of cultures in cases of arthritis in order to make ethical and economically viable treatment decisions.</p> </sec> </abstract>