VETERINARY RECORD | September 26, 2009

1) Two cases of equine pregnancy loss associated with Leptospira infection in England:
Infection with Leptospira can cause abortions and stillbirths in domestic cattle, sheep and
pigs, as well as in wild animals. Reported as a cause of abortions in mares in several
countries, including the USA, Canada, South America, New Zealand, Australia and some
European countries. In both cases there was mild mononuclear infiltration in liver, adrenal
gland. Neutrophilic funisitis was seen in one case.

2) Black disease in a forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus): Black disease, also
known as infectious necrotic hepatitis, is caused by the α toxin released by Clostridium
novyi type B during proliferation in the liver. Described in cattle, sheep, horse and pig.

3) Malignant catarrhal fever in sika deer (Cervus nippon) in the UK: enlargement of the
super ficial lymph nodes and mesenteric chain. Mineralised caseous nodules1·5 cm in
diameter were present on the right cranial pleura, and segmental haemorrhagic enteropathy
in the small intestine. Histo: multisystemic granulomatous inflammatory changes
associated with lymphocytic vasculitis and fibrinoid vasculitis, most pronounced in the
brain, leptomeninges, lymph nodes, adrenal glands and liver, consistent with MC