Skip to main content
PMC home page
The Canadian Veterinary Journal logoLink to The Canadian Veterinary Journal
. 1991 Oct;32(10):595–601.

Haemophilus somnus and reproductive disease in the cow: A review

Jacek M Kwiecien, Peter B Little
PMCID: PMC1481068  PMID: 17423872

Abstract

Haemophilus somnus causes inflammatory disease in the genital tract of cows as reported in several field surveys and experimental trials. This organism can also innocuously colonize the healthy genital mucosa of the cow, which indicates its dual relationship with the host, that of pathogen and commensal. Experimental data indicate embryocidal capability of this pathogen suggesting a possible role in early embryonic death. Haemophilus somnus also causes sporadic abortions after a bacteremia in the dam. Retrograde infection of the pregnant uterus from the lower genital tract appears unlikely; however, this process can account for post-parturient endometritis. Detection of high homologous IgG2 serum antibody titers using an ELISA test may be useful for the diagnosis of current or recent genital inflammation. Experimental laboratory data indicate that a proportion of genital strains of H. somnus are pathogenic and capable of causing thrombotic meningoencephalitis and perhaps pneumonia. In vivo testing of the pathogenicity of genital strains remains to be conducted.

Full text

PDF
598

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Andrews J. J., Anderson T. D., Slife L. N., Stevenson G. W. Microscopic lesions associated with the isolation of Haemophilus somnus from pneumonic bovine lungs. Vet Pathol. 1985 Mar;22(2):131–136. doi: 10.1177/030098588502200206. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Armstrong K. R., Osborne A. D., Janzen E. D. Haemophilus somnus Mastitis in a Dairy Cow. Can Vet J. 1986 May;27(5):211–212. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Brewer R. A., Corbel M. J., Stuart F. A. Development of improved methods for the transport and isolation of Haemophilus somnus. Res Vet Sci. 1985 Nov;39(3):299–306. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Canto G. J., Biberstein E. L. Serological diversity in Haemophilus somnus. J Clin Microbiol. 1982 Jun;15(6):1009–1015. doi: 10.1128/jcm.15.6.1009-1015.1982. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Canto J., Biberstein E. L., Schulte T. A., Behymer D. Cross-reactivity of Haemophilus somnus antibody in agglutination and complement fixation tests and in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. J Clin Microbiol. 1983 Mar;17(3):500–506. doi: 10.1128/jcm.17.3.500-506.1983. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Chiang Y. W., Kaeberle M. L., Roth J. A. Identification of suppressive components in "Haemophilus somnus" fractions which inhibit bovine polymorphonuclear leukocyte function. Infect Immun. 1986 Jun;52(3):792–797. doi: 10.1128/iai.52.3.792-797.1986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Chladek D. W. Bovine abortion associated with Haemophilus somnus. Am J Vet Res. 1975 Jul;36(7):1041–1041. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Corbeil L. B., Arthur J. E., Widders P. R., Smith J. W., Barbet A. F. Antigenic specificity of convalescent serum from cattle with haemophilus somnus-induced experimental abortion. Infect Immun. 1987 Jun;55(6):1381–1386. doi: 10.1128/iai.55.6.1381-1386.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Corbeil L. B., Blau K., Prieur D. J., Ward A. C. Serum susceptibility of Haemophilus somnus from bovine clinical cases and carriers. J Clin Microbiol. 1985 Aug;22(2):192–198. doi: 10.1128/jcm.22.2.192-198.1985. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Corbeil L. B., Widders P. R., Gogolewski R., Arthur J., Inzana T. J., Ward A. C. Haemophilus somnus: Bovine Reproductive and Respiratory Disease. Can Vet J. 1986 Feb;27(2):90–93. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Corbeil L. B., Woodward W., Ward A. C., Mickelsen W. D., Paisley L. Bacterial interactions in bovine respiratory and reproductive infections. J Clin Microbiol. 1985 May;21(5):803–807. doi: 10.1128/jcm.21.5.803-807.1985. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Corboz L., Wild P. Epidemiologie der Haemophilus somnus-Infektion beim Rind: Vergleich von Stämmen in der Polyacrylamidgel-Elektrophorese (PAGE). Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 1981 Feb;123(2):79–88. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Czuprynski C. J., Hamilton H. L. Bovine neutrophils ingest but do not kill Haemophilus somnus in vitro. Infect Immun. 1985 Nov;50(2):431–436. doi: 10.1128/iai.50.2.431-436.1985. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Greer D., McConnell W., Ball H. Isolation of Haemophilus somnus from bovine milk. Vet Rec. 1989 Sep 30;125(14):381–382. doi: 10.1136/vr.125.14.381. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Groom S. C., Little P. B., Rosendal S. Virulence differences among three strains of Haemophilus somnus following intratracheal inoculation of calves. Can J Vet Res. 1988 Jul;52(3):349–354. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Guichon P. T., Pritchard J., Jim G. K. Haemophilus somnus myocarditis in a feedlot steer. Can Vet J. 1988 Dec;29(12):1012–1013. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Harris F. W., Janzen E. D. The Haemophilus somnus disease complex (Hemophilosis): A review. Can Vet J. 1989 Oct;30(10):816–822. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Higgins R., Martin J. R., Larouche Y., Goyette G. Mastitis Caused by Haemophilus somnus in a Dairy Cow. Can Vet J. 1987 Mar;28(3):117–119. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Hoblet K. H., Haibel G. K., Kowalski J. J., Rojko J. L. Culture-positive persistence and serum agglutinating antibody response after intrauterine inoculation of Haemophilus somnus in virgin heifers. Am J Vet Res. 1989 Jul;50(7):1008–1014. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Hoerlein A. B., Goto K., Young S. Haemophilus somnus agglutinins in cattle. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1973 Dec 15;163(12):1375–1377. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Hubbard R. D., Kaeberle M. L., Roth J. A., Chiang Y. W. Haemophilus somnus-induced interference with bovine neutrophil functions. Vet Microbiol. 1986 Jun;12(1):77–85. doi: 10.1016/0378-1135(86)90043-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Humphrey J. D., Little P. B., Barnum D. A., Doig P. A., Stephens L. R., Thorsen J. Occurrence of "Haemophilus somnus" in bovine semen and in the prepuce of bulls and steers. Can J Comp Med. 1982 Apr;46(2):215–217. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Humphrey J. D., Little P. B., Stephens L. R., Barnum D. A., Doig P. A., Thorsen J. Prevalence and distribution of Haemophilus somnus in the male bovine reproductive tract. Am J Vet Res. 1982 May;43(5):791–795. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. KENNEDY P. C., BIBERSTEIN E. L., HOWARTH J. A., FRAZIER L. M., DUNGWORTH D. L. Infectious meningo-encephalitis in cattle, caused by a haemophilus-like organism. Am J Vet Res. 1960 Mar;21:403–409. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Kaneene J. B., Coe P. H., Gibson C. D., Yamini B., Marinez R. O., Morrow D. A. The role of Haemophilus somnus in early embryonic death. I. The effect of the organism on embryos by day 8 postbreeding. Theriogenology. 1986 Aug;26(2):189–198. doi: 10.1016/0093-691x(86)90023-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Kaneene J. B., Coe P. H., Gibson C. D., Yamini B., Morrow D. A., Marinez R. O. The role of Haemophilus somnus in bovine early embryonic death. III. The effect of the organism on embryos by day 21 postbreeding. Theriogenology. 1987 May;27(5):737–749. doi: 10.1016/0093-691x(87)90296-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Krogh H. V., Pedersen K. B., Blom E. Haemophilus somnus in semen from Danish bulls. Vet Rec. 1983 May 7;112(19):460–460. doi: 10.1136/vr.112.19.460-a. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Lancaster M. J., McGillivery D. J., Patterson R. M., Irwin S. Pneumonia associated with Haemophilus somnus in a calf. Aust Vet J. 1984 Aug;61(8):269–269. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1984.tb15545.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Lederer J. A., Brown J. F., Czuprynski C. J. "Haemophilus somnus," a facultative intracellular pathogen of bovine mononuclear phagocytes. Infect Immun. 1987 Feb;55(2):381–387. doi: 10.1128/iai.55.2.381-387.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Little P. B. Haemophilus somnus Complex: Pathogenesis of the Septicemic Thrombotic Meningoencephalitis. Can Vet J. 1986 Feb;27(2):94–96. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Miller R. B., Barnum D. A. Effects of Hemophilus somnus on the pregnant bovine reproductive tract and conceptus following cervical infusion. Vet Pathol. 1983 Sep;20(5):584–589. doi: 10.1177/030098588302000510. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Miller R. B., Barnum D. A., McEntee K. E. Hemophilus somnus in the reproductive tracts of slaughtered cows: location and frequency of isolations and lesions. Vet Pathol. 1983 Sep;20(5):515–521. doi: 10.1177/030098588302000502. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Miller R. B., Lein D. H., McEntee K. E., Hall C. E., Shin S. Haemophilus somnus infection of the reproductive tract of cattle: a review. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1983 Jun 15;182(12):1390–1392. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Miller R. B., Van Camp S. D., Barnum D. A. The effects of intra-amniotic inoculation of Hemophilus somnus on the bovine fetus and dam. Vet Pathol. 1983 Sep;20(5):574–583. doi: 10.1177/030098588302000509. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Panciera R. J., Dahlgren R. R., Rinker H. B. Observations on septicemia of cattle caused by a haemophilus-like organism. Pathol Vet. 1968;5(3):212–216. doi: 10.1177/030098586800500303. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Patterson R. M., Hill J. F., Shiel M. J., Humphrey J. D. Isolation of Haemophilus somnus from vaginitis and cervicitis in dairy cattle. Aust Vet J. 1984 Sep;61(9):301–302. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1984.tb06022.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Patterson R. M., Mitchell G. M., Humphrey J. D., Stephens L. R. Experimental induction of vaginitis in heifers by infection with Haemophilus somnus. Aust Vet J. 1986 May;63(5):163–165. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1986.tb02960.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Ruegg P. L., Marteniuk J. V., Kaneene J. B. Reproductive difficulties in cattle with antibody titers to Haemophilus somnus. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1988 Oct 15;193(8):941–942. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Sanfaçon D., Higgins R. Epidemiology of Haemophilus somnus infection in dairy cattle in Quebec. Can J Comp Med. 1983 Oct;47(4):456–459. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Sauders J. R., Saunders J. R., Osborne A. D. Prevalence of haemophilus somnus in the semen of bulls in Saskatchewan. Can Vet J. 1981 Nov;22(11):361–362. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Slee K. J., Stephens L. R. Selective medium for isolation of Haemophilus somnus from cattle and sheep. Vet Rec. 1985 Feb 23;116(8):215–217. doi: 10.1136/vr.116.8.215. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Smith B. P., Biberstein E. L. Septicemia and meningoencephalitis in pastured cattle caused by a Haemophilus-like organism ("Haemophilus somnus"). Cornell Vet. 1977 Apr;67(2):300–305. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Stephens L. R., Aukema R., Murray L. J. Antigenic heterogeneity of Haemophilus somnus. Aust Vet J. 1987 Apr;64(4):113–113. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1987.tb09643.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Stephens L. R., Humphrey J. D., Little P. B., Barnum D. A. Morphological, biochemical, antigenic, and cytochemical relationships among Haemophilus somnus, Haemophilus agni, Haemophilus haemoglobinophilus, Histophilus ovis, and Actinobacillus seminis. J Clin Microbiol. 1983 May;17(5):728–737. doi: 10.1128/jcm.17.5.728-737.1983. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Stephens L. R., Little P. B., Wilkie B. N., Barnum D. A. Infectious thromboembolic meningoencephalitis in cattle: a review. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1981 Feb 15;178(4):378–384. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Stephens L. R., Little P. B., Wilkie B. N., Barnum D. A. Isolation of Haemophilus somnus antigens and their use as vaccines for prevention of bovine thromboembolic meningoencephalitis. Am J Vet Res. 1984 Feb;45(2):234–239. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Stephens L. R., Slee K. J., Poulton P., Larcombe M., Kosior E. Investigation of purulent vaginal discharge in cows, with particular reference to Haemophilus somnus. Aust Vet J. 1986 Jun;63(6):182–185. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1986.tb02969.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Stuart F. A., Corbel M. J., Richardson C., Brewer R. A., Bradley R., Bridges A. W. Experimental Haemophilus somnus infection in pregnant cattle. Br Vet J. 1990 Jan-Feb;146(1):57–67. doi: 10.1016/0007-1935(90)90077-G. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Thompson K. G., Little P. B. Effect of Haemophilus somnus on bovine endothelial cell in organ culture. Am J Vet Res. 1981 May;42(5):748–754. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Thomson M. S., Stringfellow D. A., Lauerman L. H. Adherence of Haemophilus somnus to bovine embryos after in vitro exposure. Am J Vet Res. 1988 Jan;49(1):63–66. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Webber J. J., Pritchard D. H., Gordon L. M., Dean H. F. Isolation of bacteria resembling Histophilus ovis from cattle. Aust Vet J. 1983 Sep;60(9):276–276. doi: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.1983.tb07106.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Widders P. R., Dorrance L. A., Yarnall M., Corbeil L. B. Immunoglobulin-binding activity among pathogenic and carrier isolates of Haemophilus somnus. Infect Immun. 1989 Feb;57(2):639–642. doi: 10.1128/iai.57.2.639-642.1989. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Widders P. R., Paisley L. G., Gogolewski R. P., Evermann J. F., Smith J. W., Corbeil L. B. Experimental abortion and the systemic immune response to "Haemophilus somnus" in cattle. Infect Immun. 1986 Nov;54(2):555–560. doi: 10.1128/iai.54.2.555-560.1986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Widders P. R., Smith J. W., Yarnall M., McGuire T. C., Corbeil L. B. Non-immune immunoglobulin binding by "Haemophilus somnus". J Med Microbiol. 1988 Aug;26(4):307–311. doi: 10.1099/00222615-26-4-307. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  55. Yarnall M., Gogolewski R. P., Corbeil L. B. Characterization of two Haemophilus somnus Fc receptors. J Gen Microbiol. 1988 Jul;134(7):1993–1999. doi: 10.1099/00221287-134-7-1993. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  56. Yarnall M., Widders P. R., Corbeil L. B. Isolation and characterization of Fc receptors from Haemophilus somnus. Scand J Immunol. 1988 Aug;28(2):129–137. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.1988.tb02424.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  57. van Dreumel A. A., Kierstead M. Abortion associated with Hemophilus somnus infection in a bovine fetus. Can Vet J. 1975 Dec;16(12):367–370. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from The Canadian Veterinary Journal are provided here courtesy of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association

RESOURCES