Otitis Media in Preweaned Holstein Dairy Calves in Michigan Due toMycoplasma Bovis

Abstract

Abstract. Mycoplasma bovis was isolated from the tympanic bullae of dairy calves with an exudative otitis media. The history, clinical signs, gross and histologic lesions, and bacteriologic findings are described for 5 preweaned Holstein calves with otitis media from a 600-cow dairy in Michigan. Clinical findings consisted of unilateral or bilateral ear droop, epiphora, head tilt, and recumbency in severely affected calves. Postmortem examination revealed unilateral or bilateral fibrinosuppurative to caseous exudate in the tympanic bullae. Histologically, a marked fibrinosuppurative to caseous exudate filled the tympanic air spaces. The partially ulcerated tympanic mucosa was markedly thickened with mononuclear cell infiltration and proliferation of fibrous connective tissue. Bone remodeling and periosteal hyperostosis were present in some osseous septa. Mycoplasma bovis was isolated from the tympanic bullae of all 5 calves and from the lungs of 2 calves and the frontal sinus of 1 calf. Mycoplasma bovis was isolated at > 100,000 colony forming units/ml from the bulk milk tank of the farm of origin. The isolation of M. bovis from the bulk milk tank, indicating subclinical mycoplasmal mastitis coupled with the feeding of waste milk from mastitic cows to calves is suggestive of a possible source of the infection resulting in otitis media in preweaned dairy calves.

Diagnosis and treatment of otitis media in dogs and cats

“…In many species, including human beings, rats, pigs, and cattle, Mycoplasma has been reported as an inducing agent in middle ear disease [4]. In addition to the more common streptococci and staphylococci isolated from clinical feline otitis media cases, organisms much more difficult to culture and identify, such as Mycoplasma and Bordetella, have also been cultured from the middle ear of cats with otitis media [5].…”

Naturally OccurringMycoplasma Bovis—Associated Pneumonia and Polyarthritis in Feedlot Beef Calves

“…36 Fibrinosuppurative and necrotizing arthritis and tenosynovitis have been described with natural M. bovis infection 2,28 and following experimental intra-articular 27 or pulmonary 36 inoculation. Mycoplasma bovis infection has also been associated with fibrinopurulent or caseous otitis media 18,39 and subcutaneous decubital abscesses. 13 Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection can increase the prevalence or severity of bovine respiratory disease, as seen in studies of natural and experimental infections.…”

Pulmonary Mycoplasmosis in Farmed White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

“…Pyogranulomatous synovitis, tenosynovitis, periarthritis, and otitis have been associated with M. bovis pneumonia in calves and feedlot cattle (Adeboye et al, 1996;Walz et al, 1997;Haines et al, 2001); however, such lesions were not observed in these deer. Studies in calves experimentally infected with both M. bovis and BRSV found no increase in the severity of lesions in coinfected calves (Thomas et al, 1986).…”