Helcococcus ovis associated with septic arthritis and bursitis in calves – a case report

Abstract

Background Septic arthritis often occurs in young calves when the passive transfer of maternal immunoglobulins has failed, which results in hypogammaglobulinaemia in the calf. Another important cause is suboptimal herd health management which often leads to general health impairment and, subsequently, to septic arthritis. Case presentation A dairy farmer consulted the Herd Health Service of the University Clinic reporting general herd health impairment, a high incidence of respiratory diseases, unsatisfactory weight gain and arthritis in calves, as well as mastitis and high milk cell counts. Clinical examinations were performed, and diagnostic measures were taken. A transtracheal lavage (TTL) was performed, and synovial swab samples were taken from the carpal joint and the subcutaneous tarsal bursae of two calves. Microbiological examinations of synovial swabs revealed co-infections of Trueperella pyogenes and Helcococcus ovis in one calf and Helcococcus ovis in pure culture in the other. The TTLs confirmed the presence of Mycoplasma spp. associated with respiratory diseases. Conclusions Helcococcus ovis is currently regarded as a co-infective bacterial agent. However, it seems to play a significant role as the primary pathogen in this case.

Establishing Galleria mellonella as an invertebrate model for the emerging multi-host pathogen Helcococcus ovis

“…Given H. ovis’ recurrent appearance in mixed infections and its apparent reliance on co-occurring bacteria for pyridoxal metabolism, its ability to independently cause extravascular infections is not well established. Co-isolation with other known pathogenic bacteria continued to be a feature of H. ovis isolates from infections in bovine hosts including metritis, mastitis, hepatic abscesses, and septic arthritis [ 4–7 ].…”