Abstract
To investigate the presence of bacterial translocation (BT) in cattle, twelve culled cows were examined bacteriologically, pathologically, and immunohistochemically. Enteric bacteria were isolated from 91.7% of mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), 100% of livers, and 66.7% of spleens examined. Isolated gram-negative bacteria were identified as Escherichia coli in 16.7% of MLN and 8.3% of livers examined, and as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 8.3% of livers. The isolated gram-positive bacteria from these organs were identified as the genera Bacillus, Enterococcus, or Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. S.aureus was also isolated from 8.3% of MLN, 25% of livers and 8.3% of spleens. Using anti-E.coli polyclonal and anti-S.aureus antibodies, we were able to detect antigens in the organs where these bacteria were isolated. Pathologically, we observed large accumulations of neutrophils in the marginal zone of the spleens, as well as large depositions of ceroid granules in the MLN and spleens. These results confirmed the presence of BT and a wasting state in culled animals with macroscopic abnormalities in their livers.
