Unusual caudal vena cava thrombosis in a cow, secondary to Trueperella (Arcanobacterium) pyogenes infection

Abstract

The caudal vena cava thrombosis, or pulmonary thromboembolism, in cattle is correlated with lactic acidosis, caused by diets rich in grains and highly fermentable, associated or not to septic situations, used in feedlots of beef or high-producing dairy cattle. This paper reports an unusual caudal vena cava thrombosis in a cow, secondary to Trueperella (Arcanobacterium) pyogenes infection, resulting in reduced milk production, anorexia, pale mucous membranes, ruminal atony, sternal decubitus and autoauscultation position. The heart was enlarged at necropsy, presence of clots distributed along the thoracic cavity, adherence between lung and pleura, abscesses, emphysema, petechiae, suffusions and ecchymosis in lungs, thickening of the caudal vena cava wall, hepatomegaly with chronic passive congestion ("nutmeg" aspect), and rumenitis. In lab, the actinomycete Trueperella (Arcanobacterium) pyogenes was isolated from liver and lung samples, probably resulting through dissemination of the bacteria of the rumen content, what reaffirms the opportunistic behavior of this actinomycete.

Cardiocongestive insufficiency due to vena cava thrombosis with secondary necro-exudative bronchopneumonia

“…The present report is in accordance with Motta et al (2016), who found hepatomegaly abscesses, of the "nutmeg" appearance verified in 100, 80, and 13% of the cases, respectively, from the liver necropsy of the cattle. For Braun (2008), caudal vena cava thrombosis may also cause hepatomegaly and marked ascites, but most of these animals may also have acute respiratory signs.…”

“…Thrombus emboli may spread to other organs resulting in endocarditis, embolic pneumonia, hepatic and renal abscesses, or pulmonary vessels erosion causing intrapulmonary or intrabronchial hemorrhage that may end in sudden death (Miller & Gal, 2017). Motta et al (2016), in your study analyzed, were observed in 85% of the intercurrent diseases, such as metritis, mastitis, locomotor problem, and hemoparasitoses. The rumen wall did not present papilla in some areas, the heart had its anatomical aspects preserved, and there was mammary gland inflammation.…”

“…Since caudal vena cava thrombosis in bovine cattle is a rarely described severe and fatal clinical syndrome, caused by nutritional failures attributed to a high-grain diet, yet bulky deficient. Unusual cases of this syndrome in cows, secondary to infection by Trueperella (Arcanobacterium) pyogenes (Motta et al, 2016) and Fusobacterium necrophorum (Simpson et al, 2012) were reported, which presented a morbid and hyperacute evolution. Caudal vena cava thrombosis.…”

“…Metabolic acidosis causes alterations in the ruminal mucosa, characterized by hyperkeratosis and inflammation due to local lactic acid accumulation, allowing bacteria translocation from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream, and the formation of hepatic abscesses (Pillai et al, 2021;Quevedo et al, 2015). For Constable et al (2016) and Smith (2006), the bacteria involved in ruminitis are Fusobacterium necrophorum, Arcanobacterium pyogenes, Staphylococci, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, which reach the liver forming abscesses that rupture, causing secondary pneumonia (Motta et al, 2016).…”

Clinical, laboratory and anatomopathological study of caudal vena cava thrombosis in cattle

“…In Brazil, some cases of CVCT in cattle have been reported and related to various inflammatory and/or septic conditions (Afonso et al 2001, Facury Filho et al 2007, Santos et al 2015, Motta et al 2016, Carneiro et al 2019).…”