Actinomycosis

Mode of Transmission
Actinomycosis generally affects cattle between 2 to 5 years and it is a sporadic disease and animal to animal transmission occurs rarely. The organisms remain as resident population and may establish the infection through abrasion, injury or wounds. The abrasion of buccal mucosa induced by coarse feed or surface material while chewing may set up infection. Transmission of infection through dental alveoli at the time of eruption is noted. The alimentary canal of normal cattle may harbor A.bovis and from where the organisms may invade the subepithelial tissues through injury by surface object.

The lesions appear initially as a hard, painless, circumscribed protuberance usually at the level of central molar teeth of the mandible or maxilla. The invasion damages the bony tissues and in some cattle, large granulomatous mass appear on the surface of the jaw followed by development of sinus tracts. Due to extensive involvement of the mandible and maxilla, the process of mastication is affected and thus there is impairment of digestion resulting to loss of general health. Abscess may extend and may produce sinus to the skin surface where from, the purulent discharges are drained. Examination of oral cavity may exhibit loose teeth or missing teeth. There is foul breath from the mouth known as halitosis. Loose teeth induce hypersalivation and dysphagia (difficulty in feeding). The adjacent bones may be affected in long standing cases. The adjacent lymph nodes are not affected and the disease does not spread through lymphatic channel.

Control measures
There is no vaccine against this disease. Isolation of infected animals and their treatment are to be rendered. Removal of contaminated materials and disposal of animals with discharging foci may be made. This condition should be consulted with qualified veterinarian for antibiotic treatment.