Ovine and Caprine Pneumonia Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Pneumonic pasteurellosis is a severe, economically devastating respiratory disease affecting sheep and goats worldwide. It represents the most common bacterial cause of respiratory disease in small ruminants and is a frequent topic on the NAVLE examination.

The disease is caused primarily by Mannheimia haemolytica (formerly Pasteurella haemolytica biotype A), Pasteurella multocida, and Bibersteinia trehalosi (formerly Pasteurella trehalosi). These organisms are normal commensals of the upper respiratory tract that become pathogenic under specific predisposing conditions.

Etiology

Pneumonic pasteurellosis in sheep and goats is caused by members of the family Pasteurellaceae, which are Gram-negative, beta-hemolytic, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming coccobacilli.