NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
M. Y.
MANGRULKAR
283
picture of typical granules without clubs. Baudet [1934] studied three cases
of cutaneous " actinomycosis " of the dog wherein the blood-stained granular
pus showed Gram-positive branched and unbranched filaments with terminal
swellings but no clubs. In culture the organism corresponded with Cohni¬
streptothrix [Pinoy, 1911, Syn. Streptothrix, Cohn, 1875] israeli [Syn. Actino-
myces bovis, Harz 1877]. Baudet named it Cohnistreptothrix canis. Fethers
[1934] described a case of " actinomycosis " of the skin of the dog, which led to
purulent peritonitis with involvement of the abdominal wall and liver.
Microscopically a Gram-positive Streptothrix with rare clubs was seen.
In India, too, the condition in the dog is very rare, the meagre information
about its occurrence being only in the Annual Report of the Civil Veterinary
Department, Madras (1934-1935).
It will be seen that the evidence is in support of the occurrence of Strepto-
thrix infection in the dog. By comparison with similar cases of other authors,
Rivolta's case would appear to be one of actinomycetic infection. Although
in some cases the available information does not render classification
on Colebrook's lines possible, the great majority of them do not show definite
club-formation and evidently belong to the group of Streptothricoses. Until
more work is done regarding the causative organism (s) of Streptothrix infec-
tions in canines, the organisms named C. canis (Rabe) and C. canis (Baudet)
may be conveniently brought under the more generally adopted generic name,
Actinomyces.
The existence of A. canis is in fact recognized in modern veterinary text-
books which describe it as a specific, chromogenic organism of which both
aerobic and anaerobic strains exist. The parasite is pathogenic to mice,
rabbits and dogs—certain strains to calves and horses—and infects the dog
through, skin-wounds or through the respiratory tract producing, in rare cases,
involvement of the regional lymphatic glands and of the internal organs and
joints.
I. SPECIMEN 327A/1936
This specimen was removed post mortem from the tongue of a Hill-Bull
(No. 368) which died of experimental rinderpest at the Imperial Veterinary
Research Institute, Mukteswar. The lesions consisted of five fair-sized papil-
lomatous growths on the prominence of the tongue. They were attached by
a broad base except in one case where the lesion had a stalk. A benign neo-
plasm was suspected and so no other observations, were made.
Histological examination of the fixed tissue revealed the growths to be due
to a Gram-negative bacillus. At the base of some of the polypoid growths, as
well as higher up, foci of wandering cells (Plate XXIII, fig. 2) containing
actinobodies were seen. The growths were covered with the epithelium of the
tongue and around the foci reacting connective tissue was observed. No
Gram-positive mycelium was detected in the lesion. The muscles of the
tongue showed scanty sarcocysts.
The lesions were interpreted as those of actinobacillosis.
284
"Actinomycosis" and Actinobacillosis in Animals
J. SPECIMEN 194/1937
This was received by special request, from the Veterinary College, Mad-
ras. It consisted of—
(a) a scirrhous lesion of typical actinomycosis of the gum of a cow (Plate
XXIII, fig. 3, and Plate XXIV, fig. 1), and
(b) what was described as " actinomycosis " of the udder of a buffalo.
The latter tissue showed, in sections, a well-marked granulomatous change
and the presence of scattered actino-bodies surrounded by areas of pus-cells
(Plate XXIV, fig. 2). Club-formation was prominent. By Gram-Weigert stain-
ing method no streptothrix was discovered, but the central portion of the ray-
colonies showed what appeared to be a Gram-positive, pleomorphic micro-
organism. There were tortuous, (unevenly) thick, mycelium-like branching fila-
ments and deeply staining small and large coccoid forms (Plate XXIV, fig. 3).
It was impossible to determine, even grossly, the identity of the parasite, but
it must be admitted that the case was one of actinophytosis not due to Actino-
myces, Actinobacillus, Staphylococcus or Corynebacterium. It is possible
that the organism was a mould.
No other specimens of " actinomycosis " could be traced in the collection
of this Institute but the above material is sufficient to indicate the existence
in India of at least three conditions, viz., actinomycosis and actinobacillosis
in the bovine and streptothricosis in the dog. It is hoped that the need for
cultural examination of relevant material will be realised because without this
a systematic investigation of " actinomycotic " conditions is not likely to
progress.
GENERAL REMARKS AND DISCUSSION
We may now broadly recapitulate the position with regard to " actino-
mycotic " infections in animals in general, for, as every veterinarian is well
aware, not only bovines and dogs but other animals also suffer from such
infections. The horse is known to be susceptible to infection by Actinomyces,
which may be, at least in some cases, of the nature of true actinomycosis
[Perroncito, 1887 ; Baranski, ? 1888]. Several cases of the disease in the horse
have been recorded [Johne, 1885 ; Baranski, ? 1888 ; Perroncito, 1890 ; M'
Fadyean, 1888 ; Klemm, 1889 ; Dean, 1899]. The organs reported to be affec-
ted include the submaxillary lymph glands [Baranski, 1888 ; Dean, 1899],
spermatic cord [M'Fadyean, 1888] and internal organs (following castration),
and femur [Perroncito, 1890]. " Wooden tongue " of uncertain etiology is
also mentioned in some cases [Zschokke, 1 88 ; M'Fadyean, 1889].
The existence of Actinomyces equi is recognized, but the information
on the subject is so scanty as to make further research seem highly necessary.
From a case of pseudotuberculous pulmonary lesions in a camel, Mason
[1919] isolated an aerobic streptothrix and named it S. (syn. Actinomyces)
cameli. The disease was a streptothricosis.
286
"Actinomycosis" and Actinobacillosis in Animals
1930 and, in view of the above statement of Magnusson, perhaps in
rare cases in animals. In this connection the report, by Awrorow [1932], of
bovine renal actinomycosis may be of interest.
With material from actual cases of infection by A. bovis, the disease has
been successfully transmitted to cattle [Magnusson, 1928], but not to dog,
sheep, goat and horse. Similar success has attended experiments wherein
Actinobacillus from natural cases was inoculated subcutaneously into cattle,
but only rarely does a strain of the bacillus prove intraperitoneally pathogenic
to guinea-pigs. Hulphers [1923] has produced staphylococcal " actinomycotic "
mastitis in a cow experimentally, using cultures from a natural case ; but,
Magnusson was not successful in similar experiments of his own.
Research workers [Lignieres and Spitz, 1902 ; Bosworth, 1930 ; Mag-
nusson, 1928 ; Griffith, 1931] claim that diagnosis of actinobacillosis can be
made by use of the agglutination test. Recently, however, Thompson [1933]
has pointed out difficulties in utilizing the test for cattle as considerable anti-
genic variation exists between strains of Actinobacillus. In New Zealand
[1934], the test is reported to be giving useful results.
Attempts to diagnose actinomycosis in the living patient by serological
methods have not been successful. Colebrook [1920] states that in man the
serum of a heavily infected case will agglutinate A. bovis. This test has been
useful in ascertaining the presence of more than one serological type of the
organism but does not appear to have been generally adopted in clinical prac-
tice. Attempts to develop an intradermal allergic test in man have given
inconstant results. The reactions obtained by Adant and Spehl [1935] are
alleged to have been indicative of a mycotic, not necessarily actinomycotic
infection. Mathieson, Harrison, Hammond and Henrici [1935] have found
that normal persons often showed a more marked reaction to the test than
did actinomycosis-patients [Mark and Auerbach, 1937].
The finding of Corynebacterial actinophytosis by Magnusson [1928],
Hulphers [1923] and Gunst [1927] in jaw-lesions and in post-traumatic poly-
poid growths in the rumen and reticulum of bovines has not been universally
recognised, perhaps on grounds of insufficient data. It appears that this
disease-condition should be investigated further with the object of eliminating
the possibility of a mixed infection in every case encountered. Cultural
and biological tests by Magnusson [1928], however, tend to exclude this possi-
bility.
Gillain [1932] has recently recorded a case of actinomycosis of the superior
maxilla of a bovine due to A. breviora, but the study of the organism is incom-
plete.
Actinophytosis is also known to occur in sheep. It affects the jaw, lips,
tongue, and lungs. The common causative organism appears to be Actino-
bacillus.
Actinomyces caprae, an aerobic species, has been recorded from pseudotu-
berculous lesions in goat's lungs in 1899 [R. St. John-Brooks, 1931].
M. Y.
MANGRULKAR
287
Edington [1934] has isolated A. bovis from a subcutaneous sinus of a cat.
The sinus was discharging pus containing granules showing the Streptothrix.
Cases of Streptothrix infection, not amounting to actinophytosis, are also
known to occur in the fowl. Actinomyces tossicus (aerobic) has been isolated
from tumours in the abdominal cavity. The only case reported from a fowl
in India is that of streptothricosis of the cloacal region (Annual Report of the
Civil Veterinary Department, Madras, 1933-34).
Amongst wild animals, too, infection by Streptothrix is by no means un-
common. " Moody has described lesions, clearly actinomycotic in the bones
of a fossil rhinoceros. The disease is known to occur in deer and moose,
sometimes in epidemic form " [Henrici, 1930]. Fox [1923] mentioned the
occurrence of actinomycosis in American Tapirs and has isolated an aerobic
species, Actinomyces (Nocardia*) macrodipodidarum, from lesions resembling
" lumpy jaw " in Kangaroos. The Kangaroo disease has been described as a
streptothricosis causing swellings and ulcerations about the lips, tongue and
teeth.
It has already been stated elsewhere that the aerobic Streptothrix of
Bostroem is now generally regarded as a mere saprophyte of no etiological
significance and that actinomycosis in man and animals is caused by the
Israel type of organism viz., A. bovis. There is, however, no definite information
as to the pathogenesis of the disease. The findings of Lord [1910] that A.
bovis is normally found in the mouth cavity (and alimentary tract, Naeslund,
1931) of normal individuals and particularly around carious teeth, and that
local injuries assist in setting up the disease, have found general support
[Cope, 1930 ; Davies, 1932 ; Naeslund, 1931 ; Mark and Auerbach, 1937].
It is thought that in some cases of actinomycosis of the lungs the organism may-
have been conveyed from the mouth by aspiration. The idea that A. bovis
lives in the soil and on cereal plants and infects through contaminated food
(straw and grain) has now been practically abandoned.
Once the organism has established the infection in the tissues, further pro-
gress of the disease is only a question of time. Pus-formation by accumulation
of cell detritus around the actino-body occurs as a result of tissue reaction in
which neutrophils, lymphocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells take part. The
microscopic sulphur granules are thus formed. (It appears to the author
that granules need not be macroscopic in all actinophytoses). As the ray-
colony grows (? terminal) portions of the mycelium are said to resolve them-
selves into minute coccoid bodies, comparable, according to some [M'Fadyean,
1889 ; Bosworth, 1923], to conidia, which are liberated, as it were, to be en-
gulfed, as also are detached fragments of the mycelium itself, by phagocytes.
These cells may either digest the infective agent or may help to convey it to
*The generic term Nocardia is used by Wright [1905] and his followers to indicate
the aerobic saprophytic actinomycetes, some of which may be pathogenic.
M. Y.
MANGRULKAR
289
but a number of etiological agents are responsible for producing such closely
similar lesions that definite etiological diagnosis can be arrived at only after
cultural and microscopical examination of the material. The following state-
ment of Henrici [1930], made in connection with actinomycosis only, will
suffice to illustrate this point:—
" One of the most remarkable facts about Actinomycosis is the volume of
literature which has been written about it, and the small amount of
information contained therein. In spite of the fact that the disease
has been well known for half a century, and probably more than a
thousand papers have been published on it, we are still somewhat
uncertain as to the mode of infection and transmission, as to whether
the disease can be contracted by man from cattle, for instance, and still
a little in doubt as to the nature of the causative organism, whether
one or several species of actinomyces are concerned."
SUMMARY
The subject of " actinomycosis " is discussed especially from the veteri-
nary point of view, and a case made out for the adoption of a suitable nomen-
clature.
A few cases from the bullock, buffalo and dog are described from India
in proof of the existence of the disease in this country.
The need for research especially from the cultural and biological stand-
points is emphasized.
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ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 'LAHORE CANINE
FEVER' AND 'TICK FEVER' OF DOGS DUE TO
P. GIBSONI INFECTION, WITH OBSERVA-
TIONS ON THEIR PATHOLOGY AND
HAEMOCYTOLOGY
BY
J. F. SHIRLAW, M.R.C.V.S.,
Pathologist, Imperial Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar-Kumaun
(Received for publication on 22nd June, 1937)
(With Plates XXV—XXVIII and seven charts)
INTRODUCTION
THE tenure of life of dogs in Lahore is short. Very few well-bred or
imported dogs reach maturity. The chief reason for this loss of dogs is a
widely prevalent fever, popularly called 'Lahore Canine Fever', about which
many opinions have been expressed and many treatments expounded without
materially affecting the incidence or mortality. There are good reasons for
believing that this particular variety of fever finds an expression in places
elsewhere than in the Punjab, and it would appear that the disease is universal
in Northern India, if it does not have a wider distribution. It is believed that
dogs are subject to the disease in all parts of India and mention of a similar
one has been made from Burma, Ceylon and Assam.
It is difficult to place on record an actual census of incidence and mortality
but the recital of the fate overtaking the writer's dogs is so representative of
other people's experience that it will serve as an indication of the frequency of
the disease. The writer lost five dogs within a period of three years, all
pedigree dogs born in India of imported parents, and all victims of the disease
within two years of birth. The only survivor was a pure-bred fox-terrier,
which recovered after a protracted illness, and, as the writer's experience is
not exceptional, one can obtain a fairly accurate estimate of the general inci-
dence and mortality.
' Lahore Canine Fever' affects all ages and breeds of dogs. Imported
dogs suffer most severely. They are practically certain victims sooner or later.
It is very doubtful if this type survives, on an average, for more than a few
years.
Dogs bred in India of imported parents are equally susceptible. The
pariah is by no means refractory to the disease, but as cases are so infrequently
encountered in these animals, it must be assumed that they possess a marked
degree of natural immunity. This observation is further enhanced when the
( 293 )
J. F.
SHIRLAW
295
P. gibsoni, a successful infection—as evidenced by the production of a disease
of similar syndrome—may be characterised by the complete absence of P.
gibsoni in the circulating blood during the course of the illness (See Charts
Nos. 2, 5 and 7).
Mention must also be made of the efforts to prove and substantiate early
claims [Manifold, 1928] that cases of canine fever, occasionally in enzootic
form, could be attributed to infection with organisms of the colon-typhoid
group, strains of S. typhosus in particular. Standard authorities unanimously
agree that S. typhosus is not pathogenic for the dog and the writer's attempts
to induce the disease artificially in dogs by inoculation of selected strains of
S. typhosus of human origin is in accordance with the views of authorities on
the subject. It is not clear, however, that Manifold was investigating the same
type of canine fever that the writer has under review.
In 1929, Osmand Bodman (unpublished work) isolated a Salmonella strain
(probably the same organism that is now recognised as S. bareilly, Bridges and
Scott, 1931) which he considered responsible for a disease of dogs and which he
designated ' Indian Tick Typhus '. There appears no doubt from a study of
the existing records that Bodman was investigating a disease of clinical charac-
ters precisely comparable with those of ' Lahore Canine Fever '. It is import-
ant to note that Bodman incriminated the common dog tick as the vector of
the disease.
Later, Cooper (unpublished work) examined several cases of canine fever
which he considered identical with those described by Bodman and which he
designated ' Canine Enteric Fever '. He isolated from several of these cases
certain Salmonella strains, no two of which were identical, conforming super-
ficially in type species to S. enteriditis, S. aertrycke, S. paratyphosus B., S.
newport and S. flexner. He did not proceed sufficiently far with the work,
however, to classify these organisms accurately and prove their authenticity
on their antigenic structure. It must be assumed, from the variety of species
isolated, that the organisms were not of authentic species, and were, in all
probability, not the cause of the disease. The presumption is justified when
the fact is recorded that the sera of the affected dogs failed to show homolo-
gous agglutinins against the types isolated.
A certain amount of work has been published on B. aertrycke infection of
the dog and it must be mentioned that the clinical syndrome of the disease
under investigation and that of a true aertrycke infection bear no comparison.
In 1931, the writer had an opportunity of testing the pathogenicity of Cooper's
Salmonella strains on selected experimental dogs. With none of them could
disease in any form be induced.
Datta [1935] isolated, from an outbreak of canine fever in certain kennels
in the United Provinces, an organism bearing superficial resemblance to S.
typhosus. (This organism has since been typed as Bacillus pseudotuberculosis
rodentium).