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Title: RESPONSE OF THE RUMINANT RESPIRATORY TRACT TO MANNHEIMIA (PASTEURELLA) HAEMOLYTICA

Author
item ACKERMANN, MARK - IA STATE UNIV., AMES, IA
item Brogden, Kim

Submitted to: Microbes and Infection
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/12/2000
Publication Date: 7/1/2000
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Respiratory tract diseases are a leading cause of loss from disease in the cattle, sheep, and goat industries. Annual loss in the United States is estimated to exceed one billion dollars. Losses are from mortality, reduced feed efficiency, and slaughter condemnations, as well as prevention and treatment measures. Currently, not all the factors leading to the development of pneumonia are known by scientists and veterinarians. Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica is one of the most important respiratory pathogens and causes serious outbreaks of acute pneumonia in neonatal, weaned and growing lambs, calves, and goats. M. haemolytica is also an important cause of pneumonia in adult animals. Transportation, viral infections with agents such as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, parainfluenza-3 virus, or bovine respiratory syncytial virus, overcrowding, housing of neonates and weaned animals together, and other stressful conditions predispose animals to M. haemolytica infection. This review assimilates some of the findings key to cellular and molecular responses of the lung from a pathologist's perspective. It includes some of what is known and underscores areas that are not fully understood. Corollary benefits of this research include an increase in the profit- ability and international competitiveness of the U. S. cattle industry, a stronger rural economy, and a continued supply of inexpensive, wholesome beef and beef products for the American consumer.

Technical Abstract: Pneumonia is a leading cause of loss to the sheep and cattle industry throughout the world. Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica is one of the most important respiratory pathogens of domestic ruminants and causes serious outbreaks of acute pneumonia in neonatal, weaned, and growing lambs, calves, and goats. M. haemolytica is also an important cause of pneumonia in adult animals. Transportation, viral infections with agents such as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, parainfluenza-3 virus, or bovine respiratory syncytial virus, overcrowding, housing of neonates and weaned animals together, and other stressful conditions predispose animals to M. haemolytica infection. This review assimilates some of the findings key to cellular and molecular responses of the lung from a pathologist's perspective. It includes some of what is known and underscores areas that are not fully understood.