Molecular diagnosis of hemorrhagic septicaemia in a Murrah buffalo and its therapeutic management with ceftiofur sodium

A 7 years old female Murrah buffalo was presented to the Referral Veterinary Polyclinic, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar with a history of high fever, anorexia and respiratory distress since 2 days. On clinical examination, high body temperature, congested conjunctival mucous membrane, open mouth breathing, tachypnoea, tachycardia and lymphadenopathy noticed. Clinical pathology revealed leukocytosis, neutrophilia with shift to left and blood sample was found to be negative for haemoprotozoan infection. Bacteriological culture of blood sample revealed mucoid dew drop colonies suggestive of Pasteurella spp. and on Gram's staining of bacterial culture, Gram-negative cocco-bacilli organisms were detected. Further, the results of Pasteurella multocida species specific-PCR (polymerase chain reaction), Pasteurella multocida multiplex capsular PCR typing and Pasteurella multocida serotype B specific PCR revealed that the isolate was of Pasteurella multocida serotype B: 2. ABST (Antibiotic sensitivity test) revealed that the organism was highly sensitive for antibiotic Ceftiofur. The animal was treated with Inj. Ceftiofur sodium (2.2 mg/kg, IM, SID) and other supportive treatment including anti-pyretics, anti-histamines, multivitamins, rumenotorics and probiotics for 5 days. The animal showed marked recovery after complete therapy.