Reeport of a Laboratory Epizootic Among-Guinea-Pigs, Associated With Gaseous Emphysema of the Liver, Spleen and Kidneys, Due to Bacillus Mucosus Oapsulatus

Infectious Diseases

“…BACKGROUND Perkins (1901) described an epizootic outbreak in 25 laboratory guinea pigs that resulted in the death of all but two animals 18-24 hours after the onset of disease. A short bacillus, often paired, was isolated in the blood, spleen, liver, and peritoneal exudates.…”

“…K. pneumoniae causes pneumonia in guinea pigs of both sexes and all ages, although there are few reports of natural infections of this animal species with this organism. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS In the epizoonotic outbreak described by Perkins, animals presented as anorexic and ungroomed, and their illness escalated in severity until, in some animals, a comatose condition ensued (Perkins, 1901). Animals usually died 18-24 hours after the onset of clinical signs.…”

“…In other epizootic outbreaks, dyspnea has been reported prior to reaching the comatose state (Ganaway, 1976). Less severely infected animals may be able to recover from disease and develop immunity to re-infection (Perkins, 1901). Otitis media and other signs consistent with a state of septicemia have been associated with clinical disease (Fox, 2002;Ganaway, 1976;Kohn, 1974).…”

“…Otitis media and other signs consistent with a state of septicemia have been associated with clinical disease (Fox, 2002;Ganaway, 1976;Kohn, 1974). PATHOLOGY Seropurulent or serofibrinous peritonitis is noted at necropsy (Fox, 2002;Ganaway, 1976;Perkins, 1901). Additionally, such exudates may be observed in the pleural cavity and pericardial sac.…”

“…DIAGNOSIS Diagnosis of K. pneumonia is usually via culture of the upper respiratory tract. The bacterium has been isolated from blood, spleen, liver, peritoneal exudate, and cerebrospinal fluid (Fox, 2002;Ganaway, 1976;Perkins, 1901). K. pneumoniae can be differentiated from K. oxytoca, another Klebsiella spp.…”