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Necrobacillosis: Introduction |  |
| The term necrobacillosis is used to describe any disease or lesion with which
Fusobacterium
necrophorum
is associated. It includes necrotic laryngitis (see
Necrotic Laryngitis), necrotic stomatitis of calves, necrotic rhinitis of pigs (
Necrotic Rhinitis), footrot of cattle (
Footrot), foot abscess of sheep (
Foot Abscess), postparturient necrosis of the vagina and uterus, focal necrosis of the liver of cattle and sheep, quittor of horses (
Quittor), and numerous other necrotic lesions in ruminants and, less commonly, in pigs, horses,
fowl, and rabbits.
F
necrophorum
is probably a secondary invader rather than a primary etiologic agent and is usually present as part of a mixed infection. However, its necrotizing exotoxin undoubtedly plays a role in the production of characteristic lesions. It is part of the normal flora of the mouth, intestine, and genital tract of many herbivores and omnivores and is widespread in the environment. It is thought to gain entry to the body through wounds in the skin or mucous membranes. |
