Pituitary Abscess in Young Calves Associated with the use of a Controlled Suckling Device

Decreased pituitary hormone levels in a sheep with pituitary abscess

“…The histological diagnosis of the abscess was based on the presence of pyogenic membrane, intra-lesional coccoid bacterial colonies and necro-suppurative changes. Microbiological isolation of A. pyogenes is consistent with those of earlier reports in the cows (Taylor & Meads 1963;Espersen & Moller 1975;Perl et al 1978;Fernandes et al 2000;Yeruham et al 2002;Morin 2004;Dutta et al 2006;Rech et al 2006;Camara et al 2009;Guarana et al 2009), however the other microorganisms including Corynebacterium sp. and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated in ovine cases (Guarana et al 2009), and Corynebacterium pyogenes was isolated in hypophysis (Perl et al 1978) and rete mirable (Morikawi et al 1973) in cattle.…”

“…and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated in ovine cases (Guarana et al 2009), and Corynebacterium pyogenes was isolated in hypophysis (Perl et al 1978) and rete mirable (Morikawi et al 1973) in cattle. High incidence of pituitary abscess with the use of a controlled suckling device to the nose in calves has been postulated by occurrence of rhinitis and secondary dissemination of the organisms, A. pyogenes, to the hypophysis (Fernandes et al 2000). As abscess formation or suppurative inflammation was not present in other tissues examined, the primary source of the infection could not be determined in the present case as in some of the earlier reports in cattle (Espersen & Moller 1975;Perl et al 1978;Dutta et al 2006) and sheep (Guarana et al 2009).…”

“…The abscess together with the vascular thrombosis and presence of more chronic lesions in carotid rete rather support the earlier theory of bacterial embolism from other unidentified chronic source of infection. Furthermore, the isolation of A. pyogenes might also be indicative for hematogenous spread (Fernandes et al 2000).…”

“…Abscess in the pituitary fossa has been reported as a rare and sporadic entity in ruminants (Taylor & Meads 1963;Morikawi et al 1973;Espersen & Moller 1975;Perl et al 1978;Fernandes et al 2000;Yeruham et al 2002;Rech et al 2006;Guarana et al 2009). The pathogenesis of the pituitary abscess formation is uncertain.…”

“…The pathogenesis of the pituitary abscess formation is uncertain. The pituitary abscess may arise from haematogenous or lymphatic spread, particularly from a primary source of infection or by direct extension of adjacent infection (Espersen & Moller 1975;Fernandes et al 2000;Dutta et al 2006;Camara et al 2009;Guarana et al 2009). The possibility of haematogenous spread is postulated as more common in ruminants and pigs due to the carotid rete surrounding the hypophysis consisting of the complex mesh of arterial and capillary system (Taylor & Meads 1963;Espersen & Moller 1975;Yeruham et al 2002;Rech et al 2006).…”