~ 1 ~
International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry 2018; 3(4): 01-02
ISSN: 2456-2912
VET 2018; 3(4): 01-02
© 2018 VET
www.veterinarypaper.com
Received: 01-05-2018
Accepted: 02-06-2018
Akshay Sharma
PhD Scholar, Department of
Veterinary Gynecology and
Obstetrics, College of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences, Himachal
Pradesh Agricultural University,
Palampur, Himachal Pradesh,
India
Madhumeet Singh
Professor and Head, Department
of Veterinary Gynecology and
Obstetrics, College of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences, Himachal
Pradesh Agricultural University,
Palampur, Himachal Pradesh,
India
Pravesh Kumar
Assistant Professor, Department
of Veterinary Gynecology and
Obstetrics, College of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences, Himachal
Pradesh Agricultural University,
Palampur, Himachal Pradesh,
India
Nirdeshika Chaudhary
Veterinary Officer, Department
of Veterinary Gynecology and
Obstetrics, College of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences, Himachal
Pradesh Agricultural University,
Palampur, Himachal Pradesh,
India
Correspondence
Akshay Sharma
PhD Scholar, Department of
Veterinary Gynecology and
Obstetrics, College of Veterinary
and Animal Sciences, Himachal
Pradesh Agricultural University,
Palampur, Himachal Pradesh,
India
Clinical management of puerperal uterine infection in a
cow caused by Edwardsiella tarda
Akshay Sharma, Madhumeet Singh, Pravesh Kumar and Nirdeshika
Chaudhary
Abstract
Edwardsiella tarda infection, an uncommon pathogen mostly associated with pet reptiles and the
ingestion of raw fish. Present case report envisages the successful management of Edwardsiella tarda
isolated from the uterine discharge of a Jersey cow 3 weeks after parturition. This may be the first report
of puerperal uterine infection caused by E. tarda in a cow.
Keywords: Edwardsiella tarda, puerperal uterine infection, jersey cow
Introduction
Edwardsiella tarda, a gram-negative bacillus, is widely distributed in the aquatic environment
which mainly affects feral and farmed fish (Mikamo et al. 2003)
[3]
. The infection is associated
with severe septicemia and lethality in a broad host range, which includes humans and
gastrointestinal disorders are mostly observed in immunocompromised hosts (Kebede et al.
2016)
[1]
. E. tarda has caused septicemia, meningitis, peritonitis, osteomyelitis, tubo-ovarian
abscess, and liver abscesses in fish and humans (Tamada et al. 2009)
[4]
, but no reports of
puerperal uterine infection in domesticated large animals have been reported to date.
Case details
A pluriparous Jersey cow aged 6 years was presented in Teaching Veterinary Clinical
Complex, CSKHPKV, Palampur with a history of pus mixed uterine discharge at 3 weeks after
parturition. Cow also had a history of post-partum uterine prolapse. For diagnostic purpose,
the uterine discharge was collected in a sterile vial and streaked on McConkey’s Lactose Agar
for identification. Thereafter, purified colonies were streaked on Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate
(XLD) agar and various biochemical tests like catalase, oxidase, Indole production, Hydrogen
sulphide, Citrate utilization and motility tests (Table 1) were done to confirm the presence of
Edwardsiella tarda.
Table 1: Phenotypic and biochemical characteristics of Edwardsiella tarda
Parameter Results
Cultural characteristics on XLD agar Small, circular, grayish white colonies
Morphological characteristics Gram negative, motile short rods
Biochemical characteristics
Indole production +
H2S production +
Oxidase -
Catalase -
Citrate -
Dulcitol -
Sorbitol -
Xylose -