Detection of Pyogenic Escherichia coli from Multiple Hepatic Abscesses in a Muzzaffarnagari Sheep

Liver is the chief organ of the body and is exposed to so many toxic and non-toxic exposures which cause potential damage to its functions. The paper described an incidence of hepatic abscesses in 3.5-year old Muzzaffarnagari ram caused by Escherichia coli. Study portrayed isolation and confirmation of causative agent by microbiological, histopathological and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Necropsy revealed multiple greyish white, round to oval spherical nodules (2–4 cm in diameter) over the diaphragmatic, right and left lobes of liver and spleen yielding thick creamy yellow pus upon incision. Histopathologically, severe hepatic destruction and hepatocytes as icebergs in the sea of inflammatory cells and bile duct hyperplasia were recorded. Microbiological examination revealed Gram negative, motile E. coli sensitive to only four antibiotic drugs, namely, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and gatifloxacin. Species-specific PCR targeting Universal stress protein A (uspA) gene confirmed the bacterial isolate as E. coli. Study emphasised need of an earliest identification of the causative micro-organisms for rational therapy by utilising the conventional laboratory and modern molecular tools of diagnosis to prevent the economic loss and life of animals.