PREVALENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF HEMOPHILUS-SOMNUS IN THE MALE BOVINE REPRODUCTIVE-TRACT

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 43  (5) , 791-795
Abstract
H. somnus was isolated from 77% of 31 reproductive tracts of bulls from an Ontario, Canada, slaughterhouse. Identification of H. somnus was based on morphologic and cultural characteristics and on fluorescent antibody and immunodiffusion tests, using antisera prepared against a known pathogenic encephalitic isolate of H. somnus. The infection rate and distribution of H. somnus within the tract were as follows: preputial orifice-71%; preputial cavity-71%; urinary bladder-26%; accessory sex glands-19%; and ampulla of ductus deferens-10%. Isolates were not obtained from the testes or epididymides. On 2 occasions, H. somnus was isolated in pure culture from the preputial cavity. A higher prevalence of infection was found in young bulls. There were no differences found in young bulls. There were no differences found in infection rates between breeds. Differences in hemolytic activity and minor antigenic variation between isolates indicated that a series of biotypes within the species H. somnus may exist. Evidently, organisms presently identified as H. somnus may normally form part of the flora of the bovine prepuce. Thus, dissemination from the male bovine reproductive tract is 1 possible means of infection in H. somnus-associated diseases. The pathogenic significance of genital isolates of H. somnus awaits further study.

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