The case presented here had similar changes including severe encephalitis with necrosis of the neuropil, nonseptate hyphae, and infiltration by numerous neutrophils and mononuclear cells. Blood vessels often exhibited necrotizing vasculitis with thrombosis. In addition to encephalitis, this calf had pneumonia and necrotizing splenitis with fungal hyphae. There was no history of silage feeding. Meningoencephalitis, subacute, focally extensive, severe, with necrotizing vasculitis, infarction and fungal hyphae, Angus, bovine, etiology consistent with a zygomycete.
Culture is required for specific identification of zygomycotic fungi.
The primary differential discussed in conference was aspergillosis. Mycotic pneumonia and placentitis caused by Mortierella wolfii. Mycotic abortion in cattle. Abortion associated with Mortierella wolfii in cattle. In March of 1999, an adult female white-tailed deer in Maine was observed to be very pruritic and in poor condition.