Bacterial, PCR and clinico-pathological diagnosis of naturally occurring pneumonic pasturellosis (mannheimiosis) during subtropical climate in sheep

- Sudden death of sheep with history of respiratory signs like dyspnoea, salivation, pyrexia and mucopurulent nasal discharge.
- Necropsy revealed froth in trachea, hepatization, pleural adhesions and broncho-pneumonia.
- Pneumonic lungs indicated bronchial epithelial hyperplasia, fibrinous pneumonia and peri-vascular cuffing.
- Impression smear showed bi-polar rods and PCR confirmed the M. haemolytica.
- Clinico- and histo-pathological findings are useful tools for early diagnosis of M. haemolytica.

Mannheimia haemolytica is causative agent of pneumonic pasteurellosis (mannheimiosis) that causes huge economic losses to livestock farmers. We investigated the microbial and clinico-pathological patterns associated with ovine pneumonic pasturellosis during an outbreak. Prior to death, infected sheep revealed clinical signs including dyspnoea, salivation, pyrexia and mucopurulent nasal discharge. Mortality was significantly (p < 0.05) high in young sheep as compared to adults. Necropsy findings revealed presence of froth in trachea, congestion and consolidation of lungs, pulmonary edema, severe pleural adhesions, pericarditis, hemorrhages on mucosa of jejunum and kidneys. Histopathological examination revealed circumscribed and centrally calcified necrotic areas punctuated with chronic inflammatory cells and interstitial pneumonia. Moreover, bronchial epithelial hyperplasia, edema, congestion, mononuclear cell infiltration, thick interlobular septae and peri-vascular cuffing were the striking changes in lungs. Furthermore, lungs showed severe fibrin depositions along with abundant amount of fibrin meshwork on pleura infiltrated with chronic inflammatory cells. Histologically, liver, kidneys and lymph nodes showed degenerative changes. Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida were differentially identified on the basis of culture characteristics and biochemical tests. M. haemolytica was further confirmed by using polymerase chain reaction. From the findings of current study, it is concluded that M. haemolytica is a major respiratory threat in small ruminants that causes severe pneumonic changes in infected animals.