Echocardiographic and histopathological study on vegetative growth in the left ventricle of a buffalo

AbstractEndocarditis is inflammation of the endocardium of the heart, and it might be of infectious origin or vegetative origin. In buffaloes, most of the time, it will be a vegetative form mixed with bacteria, and its diagnosis in live animals is a challenge to the physician. An adult buffalo was presented to the clinic with a history of chronic loss of body weight, intermittent fever, dullness, lameness and loss of milk yield which was not responsive even after medications. Upon examination, it had fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, painful stance and a loud pounding heartbeat with cardiac murmurs. Blood analysis displayed anaemia, leucocytosis, neutrophilia, high serum globulin and creatinine levels. Electrocardiography revealed tachycardia and echocardiography showed valvular regurgitation at the mitral valve. Necropsy had an enlarged heart, the presence of a small irregular shape growth firmly attached to the endocardium of the left ventricle. Histopathological examination of mural growth showed fibrous tissue proliferation, infiltration of mononuclear cells in collagenous material and areas of haemorrhages in the thickened endocardium. Blood culture yielded theStaphylococci organisms. The present study concludes that buffaloes had persistent fever with unknown aetiology, and the presence of cardiac murmurs and vegetative endocarditis can be included in the differential diagnosis.
Source: Comparative Clinical Pathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research