Actinomyces bovis

Actinomyces bovis is a branching, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacterium of the genus Actinomyces.[1] It is the causative agent of Lumpy jaw (Actinomycosis) in cattle, and occasionally causes infections in humans.[2] Actinomyces bovis normally populates the gastrointestinal tract of healthy ruminants, but are opportunistic in nature and will move into tissues through ulcerations or abrasions of the mucosa to cause disease.[3] Disease occurs when there is physical damage to the tissue of the mouth, allowing the bacteria to colonize the deep tissue and bone, typically affecting the mandible and maxilla.[4] Actinomycosis is pathognomonic for abscesses containing sulfa granules and appear as basophilic colonies with club-shaped reaction products on a histological preparation.[5][6] Lumpy Jaw is commonly treated with broad spectrum antibiotics with varying success,[7] and can be a major economic loss for producers in endemic countries.[8] Because this organism is zoonotic, it is a human health concern and can cause granulomas, abscesses, skin lesions, and bronchopneumonia.[3]

Actinomyces bovis
High magnification micrograph of a sulfur granule formed by Actinomyces in the mandible. H&E stain.
Scientific classification
Domain:
Bacteria
Phylum:
Actinobacteria
Class:
Actinobacteria
Order:
Actinomycetales
Family:
Actinomycetaceae
Genus:
Actinomyces
Species:
A. bovis
Binomial name
Actinomyces bovis
Harz, 1877[9]

History

A. bovis was first described in 1877 by Bollinger and Harz, when they isolated the causative agent of lumpy jaw from a cow.[10] Two theories for the source of infection have since been developed.[11] The first is called the exogenous theory and was developed by Bostroem in 1891, when he suggested infection is caused by a foreign body, such as hard hay or grass awns. This theory has mostly been supported by clinical observations, and has been hard to demonstrate in a lab setting. The second is called the endogenous theory, which suggests that A. bovis is naturally found in the mouths of healthy animals.[11] This theory has been supported by several researchers over the years as they have been able to isolate multiple strains of Actinomyces. In 1905, Wright described isolation techniques and colony morphology in different medias.[12] A. bovis has been isolated from tonsillar crypts, infected teeth and dental scum of normal mouths from human and animal patients.[13][14] Several researchers were then able to conclude that the bacteria are part of the normal flora of the mouth, making the mouth is a source of disease. It has also been suggested that the number and virulence of bacterial particles involved in the infection contribute to whether or not disease occurs. Several researchers have tried to establish the infection in live animals with isolated bacterial cultures, but the results have been mixed, with some seeing development of disease[15] and some seeing no change.[14] In 1950 the life cycle of A. bovis was described.[16]

Morphology

A. bovis is a branching, rod-shaped bacterium.[9] In it's diploid phase it is gram-positive, during the haploid phase, it is club shaped and is gram-negative[16]. A. bovis is catalase negative which can differentiate it from other anaerobic diptheroids.[16] A. bovis microcolonies on brain heart infusion agar can be distinguished from the closely related organisms Actinomyces israelii and Actinomyces naeslundii.[9] The ability for A.bovis to hydrolyze starch is another way to distinguish it from A. israelli and A. naeslundii.[9]

Life Cycle

Actinomyces bovis goes through a two phase cell cycle, a haploid phase and a diploid phase. The life cycle begins with the haploid phase with the germination of a spore. The spore buds out into club shapes and branches as it undergoes nuclear replication in preparation for conjugation. Two specialized haploid cells then conjugate to become the initial cell of the diploid phase. This initial cell germinates and branches as it undergoes nuclear replication. A spore is then formed from a diploid phase branch, and the spore undergoes nuclear reduction. After nuclear reduction the spore buds off and completes the life cycle.[16]

Role in Disease

Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis

Lumpy Jaw (Actinomycosis) in cattle can present itself in two main ways. One presentation of the infection is as soft tissue abscesses in the mouth and on the tongue. The other presentation of the infection explains its common name, Lumpy Jaw, as A. bovis bacteria infect the mandibular bone causing osteomyelitis[17] and the formation of periosteal new bone giving it the classical lumpy jaw appearance.[18] It is caused by sharp objects, such as coarse feed materials or sticks, causing penetrative lesions in the mouth when ingested or by complication of periodontitis.[17][18] Deeper lesions are required to cause infections in the bone, while shallower lesions are more likely to cause mouth abscesses.[18] The bony lumps are usually non-painful and can develop over weeks to months, causing facial distortion, dyspnea, and occasionally loose teeth.[17][18][19] The abscesses within the bony lumps or soft tissue commonly consist of purulent granulation tissue, often gritty in texture, surrounded by a fibrous capsule.[20]

Actinomycosis affecting the maxilla in a cow.

To diagnose Lumpy Jaw, the fluids exuding from the bony lump or other abscesses are sampled or aspirated if the infection has not broken through the skin.[18] Tissue samples from the lesion can be examined by histopathology after being embedded in paraffin wax, cut into 4-5mm sections, and stained with hemolysin and eosin stains.[17] The clubs could also be stained by carbol fuchsin with decolourisation by weak hydrochloric acid and counter-staining with methylene blue, Van Gieson's stain, or aniline gentian violet followed by treatment with alcohol.[20] A. bovis can be identified histologically by their basophilic colonies and club-shaped reaction product visible in neutrophilic granulomatous lesions.[17] The club-shapes, also called Spendore-Hoeppli proteins, seen on histological slides are the result of the bacteria being encased in a calcium-phosphate protein complex as the host attempts to wall off the infection.[17] Another diagnostic feature is the presence of sulfa granules[21] which is pathognomonic for Actinomycosis.[17] Sulfa granules are small yellow clumps in exudate that are visible to the naked eye with a similar appearance to grains of sand, and are mainly composed of bacterial filaments and host calcium-phosphate.[17]

Treatment

The efficacy of the clinical treatment for Actinomyces bovis lesions is not always successful.[22] However, conventional treatment plans involving combinations of broad spectrum antibiotics and concurrent administration of iodide solutions have demonstrated success in reducing the inflammation and spread of the lesion.[23] Initial treatment involves surgical debridement of purulent and soft tissue lesions followed by daily cleaning and flushing of the infection site with saline and povidone-iodine solution respectively for approximately one week.[24] Treatment success has been noted individually for both potassium iodide oral solution,[25] and for intravenous sodium iodide,[26] as well as when used conjunctively.[27] However, frequent treatment with iodide may lead to toxicity, and monitoring for clinical signs of iodine toxicity should be included throughout the course of treatment.[28] Consequently, administration of iodide should be either reduced or discontinued if such signs of toxicity are observed.[28] Antibiotic combinations of intramuscular Penicillin and Streptomycin are commonly used for five to seven days, and have been widely associated with treatment success.[24] Additional antibiotics such as Oxytetracycline, Florfenicol and Cloxacin have also demonstrated sensitivity.[23][28]

Prevention

Infiltration of Actinomyces bovis occurs following trauma and subsequent infection of the oral cavity.[23] Common causes of trauma to the oral mucosa include consumption of abrasive feed or foreign bodies (thorns, wire, etc.), or eruptions of cheek teeth.[23] Prevention advice focuses on avoiding coarse feed with suggestions such as softening feed with water.[29] Examination of feed structure is especially encouraged if the infection is widespread throughout the herd.[23]

Economics

A. bovis is one of the few Actinomyces considered to have some economic impact,[30] though this impact is considered minimal because it is not typically transmitted between animals within a herd and affected animals are often culled. In Ethiopia, Actinomycosis accounted for 1.34% of condemnations.[31]

References
  1. L Pine; A Howell; SJ Watson (1960). "Studies of the Morphological, Physiological, and Biochemical Characters of Actinomyces bovis". J Gen Microbiol. 23 (3): 403–424. doi:10.1099/00221287-23-3-403. PMID 13735815.
  2. P Mansouri; S Farshi; A Khosravi; ZS Naraghi (2011). "Primary cutaneous actinomycosis caused by Actinomyces bovis in a patient with common variable immunodeficiency". Journal of Dermatology. 38 (38): 911–915. doi:10.1111/j.1346-8138.2010.01165.x. PMID 21658111. S2CID 20116978.
  3. Underwood, Wendy J. (2015). Laboratory Animal Medicine (Third ed.). Elsevier Inc. ISBN 978-0-12-409527-4.
  4. "Painful lumpy jaw disease requires intervention". The Western Producer. 2018-02-22. Retrieved 2020-09-13.
  5. Farooq, U (2010). "Field Surgical Intervention of Bovine Actinomycosis". Pakistan Veterinary Journal.
  6. Masand, A. (2015). "Actinomycosis (lumpy Jaw) in Cow: A Case Report". Comparative Clinical Pathology. 24 (3): 541–543. doi:10.1007/s00580-014-1939-1. S2CID 31970732.
  7. Color Atlas of Diseases and Disorders of Cattle - Pages 261-267. Mosby. 2011-01-01. p. 63. doi:10.1016/b978-0-7234-3602-7.00021-2. ISBN 978-0-7234-3602-7.
  8. Luisa, Bozzano G. (2012-12-02). Actinomycetes in Biotechnology. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-08-098433-9.
  9. L Pine; A Howell; SJ Watson (1960). "Studies of the Morphological, Physiological, and Biochemical Characters of Actinomyces bovis". J Gen Microbiol. 23 (3): 403–424. doi:10.1099/00221287-23-3-403. PMID 13735815.
  10. Masand, Ajay; Kumar, Naresh; Patial, Vikram (2015). "Actinomycosis (lumpy jaw) in cow: a case report". Comparative Clinical Pathology. 24 (3): 541–543. doi:10.1007/s00580-014-1939-1. ISSN 1618-5641.
  11. Slack, J. (1942). "The Source of Infection in Actinomycosis". Journal of Bacteriology. 43 (2): 193–209. doi:10.1128/JB.43.2.193-209.1942. ISSN 0021-9193. PMC 373595. PMID 16560493.
  12. Wright, J. H. (1905). "The Biology of the Microörganism of Actinomycosis". The Journal of Medical Research. 13 (4): 349–404.19. ISSN 0097-3599. PMC 2099953. PMID 19971674.
  13. Lord, Frederick T. (1910-10-08). "The Etiology of Actinomycosis the Presence of Actinomycetes in the Contents of Carious Teeth and the Tonsillar Crypts of Patients Without Actinomycosis". JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. 55 (15): 1261. doi:10.1001/jama.1910.04330150021008. ISSN 0098-7484.
  14. Lord, F. T.; Trevett, L. D. (1936-01-01). "The Pathogenesis of Actinomycosis: Recovery of Actinomyces-Like Organisms from the Normal Mouth". Journal of Infectious Diseases. 58 (1): 115–120. doi:10.1093/infdis/58.1.115. ISSN 0022-1899.
  15. Emmons, C. W. (1938). "The Isolation of Actinomyces bovis from Tonsillar Granules". Public Health Reports (1896-1970). 53 (44): 1967–1975. doi:10.2307/4582699. JSTOR 4582699.
  16. Morris, E. O. (1951). "The life cycle of Actinomyces bovis". Epidemiology & Infection. 49 (1): 46–51. doi:10.1017/S0022172400015357. ISSN 0022-1724. PMC 2234984. PMID 20475838.
  17. Masand, A (2015). "Actinomycosis (lumpy Jaw) in Cow: A Case Report". Comparative Clinical Pathology. 24 (3): 541–543. doi:10.1007/s00580-014-1939-1. S2CID 31970732.
  18. Thomas, Heather S. (2009). "Bony Lump Jaw". Beef. 45(8), 64.
  19. Thomas, S. "Subject: Lumpy Jaw". Beef Magazine.
  20. Griffith, Fred (1916). "On the Pathology of Bovine Actinomycosis". Journal of Hygiene. 15 (2): 195–207. doi:10.1017/S0022172400006215. PMC 2206921. PMID 20474618.
  21. Farooq, U (2010). "Field Surgical Intervention of Bovine Actinomycosis". Pakistan Veterinary Journal.
  22. Color Atlas of Diseases and Disorders of Cattle - Pages 261-267. Mosby. 2011-01-01. p. 63. doi:10.1016/b978-0-7234-3602-7.00021-2. ISBN 978-0-7234-3602-7.
  23. Roussel, Allen J. (2009-01-01), Anderson, David E.; Rings, D. Michael (eds.), "CHAPTER 3 - Actinomycosis and Actinobacillosis", Food Animal Practice (Fifth Edition), Saint Louis: W.B. Saunders, pp. 6–8, doi:10.1016/b978-141603591-6.10003-x, ISBN 978-1-4160-3591-6, retrieved 2020-10-21
  24. W Ahad; S Kumar; HA Lone; R Beghum (March 2020). "Clinical Management of Bovine Actinomycosis (Lumpy Jaw) in Cattle: A Case Report". International Journal of Engineering Science and Computing. 10: 24668–24670 – via Research Gate.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  25. BR Patel; JS Patel; SC Parmar (2016). "Clinico-Therapeutic Management of Actinomycosis in a Buffalo". Intas Polivet. 17: 575.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. Papich, Mark G. (2016-01-01), Papich, Mark G. (ed.), "Iodide (Potassium Iodide)", Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Fourth Edition), St. Louis: W.B. Saunders, pp. 403–404, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-24485-5.00310-7, ISBN 978-0-323-24485-5, retrieved 2020-10-21
  27. DS Dhillon; SJ Kaur; A Khanmotra (2020). "Actinomycosis in a Holstein heifer: Diagnosis, treatment and management" (PDF). Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies. 8: 104–106.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  28. "Actinomycosis in Cattle, Swine, and Other Animals - Generalized Conditions". Merck Veterinary Manual. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  29. DS Dhillon; SJ Kaur; A Khanmotra (2020). "Actinomycosis in a Holstein heifer: Diagnosis, treatment and management" (PDF). Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies. 8: 104–106.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. Luisa, Bozzano G. (2012-12-02). Actinomycetes in Biotechnology. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-08-098433-9.
  31. Alembrhan, Assefa; Haylegebriel, Tesfay (2013-08-08). "Major causes of organ condemnation and economic loss in cattle slaughtered at Adigrat municipal abattoir, northern Ethiopia". Veterinary World. 6 (10): 734–738. doi:10.14202/vetworld.2013.734-738.
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