An Outbreak of Actinomyces pyogenes Mandibular Osteomyelitis in a Herd of Goats, in Morogoro

Abstract

A small herd of goats with left mandibular swellings was clinically examined.  All goats had poor body condition, enlarged submandibular lymph nodes and had reduced appetite. The swollen areas of the  mandibles   were hard on pressure, with slight pitting in some areas, whereas some of the goats had discharging sinuses. Other findings included malpositioned jaws and loosening of  premolar teeth. Radiography showed destruction of the mandibles, periodontitis and sequestrum formation. Culture results revealed the presence Actinomyces pyogenes in the bone lesions of the affected goats. Differential diagnosis of the condition is discussed, to distinguish the disease from Lumpy jaw disease of cattle and sheep, and infectious causes of mandibular swellings in goats. Further studies on the epidemiology of A. pyogenes are recommended to investigate the role of animal interactions on the spread of A. pyogenes infections.  Clinical, radiological, and   bacteriological investigations confirmed the presence of osteomyelitis in the mandibles of the affected goats. None of the sheep kept in the same premises was affected