Sporadic Bovine Encephalomyelitis

Sporadic bovine encephalomyelitis is caused by Chlamydia pecorum biotype 2, an obligate intracellular bacteria. Genetically identical C pecorum isolates have been identified from clinical cases in geographically different areas. The C pecorum isolates from clinical cases are distinct from those found in the GI tract of asymptomatic animals. Based on these findings, subclinical intestinal infections in cattle and other animals may not be the source of infection in SBE. The disease is most often seen in calves <6 months old and less commonly in older cattle. Sporadic cases and outbreaks can occur within individual herds. Morbidity rates are most commonly < 25% but can reach 50%. The mortality rate can approach 30% and is highest in calves. Many sick animals die if not treated at an early stage.

The incubation period for sporadic bovine encephalomyelitis in experimentally infected calves is 6–30 days. The first sign in natural and experimental cases is fever (104°–107°F [40°–41.7°C]). Appetite remains good for the first 2–3 days despite the fever. Afterward, depression, excess salivation, diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss occur. Nasal discharge and respiratory disease signs due to pleuritis may be seen. Early neurologic signs include depression, stiffness with knuckling at the fetlocks, decreased tail tone, and incontinence. Calves progressively become uncoordinated and stagger, circle, or fall over objects. Head pressing, blindness, and decreased pupillary light reflexes are not observed. In the terminal stage, calves are frequently recumbent and may develop opisthotonos. The course of the disease is usually 10–14 days.

• Based on clinical signs, bacterial culture, and PCR

A tentative diagnosis of sporadic bovine encephalomyelitis can be based on clinical signs and particularly on the presence of serofibrinous peritonitis in the absence of other causes of peritonitis, such as intestinal volvulus, intussusception, traumatic perforation of the reticulum, perforated abomasal ulcer, or displaced organs.

Differential diagnoses also include:

• rabies

• infectious bovine rhinotracheitis with encephalitis

• listeriosis

• thromboembolic encephalomyelitis

• polioencephalomalacia

• pseudorabies

• paramyxovirus encephalomyelitis

• malignant catarrhal fever

SBE can be diagnosed by PCR detection of C pecorum DNA in brain tissue, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid, or peritoneal fluid of affected animals. Diagnosis can also be confirmed by culture in either developing chicken embryos or cell cultures, by histologic changes in brain sections, or by evaluation of tissue impression smears after Giemsa or immunofluorescent staining.

• Supportive care and antibiotics are the primary treatments

For treatment of sporadic bovine encephalomyelitis, the antibiotics of choice are tetracyclines, oxytetracyclines, and tylosin. For treatment to be effective, it must be given as early as possible in high doses. If treatment is effective, the fever should drop significantly within 24 hours. No vaccines are available.