LYMPHADENITIS IN CATTLE ASSOCIATED WITH CORYNEBACTERIUM-EQUI - PROBLEM IN BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS DIAGNOSIS

Corynebacterium equi (but no mycobacteria) was isolated from, and demonstrated histologically in, granulomas of lymph nodes draining the respiratory tract of 16 Queensland cattle in 1975-1977. The lesions were similar to tuberculosis in that they had a central area which showed caseous necrosis and usually mineralization. The main distinguishing feature was heavy neutrophil infiltration of necrotic areas, in most cases, although some lesions were histologically indistinguishable from tuberculosis. C. equi was isolated from 2 other cattle from which no histology was available, one with lung lesions and one with no lesions. C. equi was routinely isolated on Herrold's medium without glycerol or malachite green. © 1979.