Infection Due to Actinobacillus lignieresii in Cattle with Brain and Ocular Involvement: Histological and Microbiological Features

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Actinobacillus lignieresii was identified for the first time by Lignieres and Spitz in 1902, who listed it as the causative agent in a case of bovine granulomatosis in Argentina. The bacterium is a well-known normal habitant of the oral cavity of ruminants and causes opportunistic infections. The primary organs involved are the mouth, tongue and pharynx. In this study, we describe a case of cerebral and ocular metastatic diffusion of granuloma due to infection with Actinobacillus lignieresii in cattle. ABSTRACT: The actinobacillosis is rare and to date the biological profile of the agent is not yet fully understood. The knowledge about the possible hosts of the pathogen is incomplete and is generally only associated with granulomatous lesions in cattle and sheep. The primary organs involved are the mouth, tongue and pharynx. Human infection is extremely rare. Actinobacillus lignieresii is the causative agent of a rare bovine granulomatous disease known as “wooden tongue”. In this research, we describe a case of cerebral and ocular metastatic diffusion of granuloma due to infection with Actinobacillus lignieresii in cattle, probably resulting from primary oral localization. Diagnosis was made using histopathological assay which made it possible to highlight the typical lesion of actinobacillosis, and bacteriological assay that allowed to isolate the pathogen.