Bovine Thromboembolic Meningoencephalitis – NAVLE Study Guide
Overview and Clinical Importance
Thromboembolic meningoencephalitis (TEME), also known as thrombotic meningoencephalitis (TME) or colloquially as "Brainers," is a severe neurological disease primarily affecting feedlot cattle between 6 to 12 months of age. The condition is caused by Histophilus somni (previously known as Haemophilus somnus), a Gram-negative opportunistic coccobacillus belonging to the family Pasteurellaceae.
TEME represents a significant cause of economic loss in the cattle industry, particularly in intensive beef production systems. The disease is characterized by vasculitis, thrombosis, and multifocal hemorrhagic infarcts in the central nervous system. Understanding this condition is critical for NAVLE success, as it frequently appears in questions related to bovine neurological diseases, differential diagnosis of "downer" cattle, and treatment protocols for bacterial CNS infections.
Etiology
Causative Agent
Histophilus somni is a pleomorphic, non-motile, non-encapsulated, Gram-negative coccobacillus. Key microbiological characteristics include:
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