HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Nagaraja, T. G. Articles by Fina, L. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Nagaraja, T. G. Articles by Fina, L. R.

Endotoxin Shock in Calves from Intravenous Injection of Rumen Bacterial Endotoxin

Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506

Abstract

Intravenous injection of calves with rumen bacterial endotoxin induced signs and pathophysiological changes typical of endotoxin shock. The signs and pathophysiological changes were similar to those observed in calves that received Escherichia coli endotoxin. The signs exhibited were an immediate hyperapnea gradually leading to marked dyspnea, profuse salivation, diarrhea and collapse into lateral recumbency. The characteristic pathophysiological changes were increased blood lactate, hyperglycemia followed by hypoglycemia, leukopenia followed by granulocytosis, elevated serum GOT, LDH, acid phosphatase and ß-glucuronidase. Consistent gross lesions were hemorrhages in organs such as brain, heart, adrenals and lungs. Thrombocytopenia, prolonged prothrombin time and presence of fibrin thrombi in arterioles and capillaries of many organs were indicative of disseminated intravascular coagulation. The enhanced clinical response after the second injection and prominent lesions observed in lungs suggested an anaphylactic-like reaction. These results indicated that rumen bacterial endotoxins are capable of inducing endotoxin shock and a second exposure elicits anaphylactic-like shock. This may be a possible mechanism for sudden death in feedlot and dairy cattle fed large quantities of grain.

¹ Division of Biology (Microbiology group); Department of Animal Sciences and Industry; Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory; Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine; Kansas State Univ., Manhattan. The authors express their appreciation to R. Bechtle, M. Bowden, S. Dennis, U. Jayasekara, M. May, L. Manthe, M. McGarity, B. Lassman and M. Rieb for assistance in the laboratory.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. G. Nagaraja and E. C. Titgemeyer Ruminal Acidosis in Beef Cattle: The Current Microbiological and Nutritional Outlook J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2007; 90(13_suppl): E17 - E38. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. H. Elsasser, J. W. Blum, and S. Kahl Characterization of calves exhibiting a novel inheritable TNF-{alpha} hyperresponsiveness to endotoxin: associations with increased pathophysiological complications J Appl Physiol, June 1, 2005; 98(6): 2045 - 2055. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]