J Vet Diagn Invest 19:326–329 (2007) Systemic nocardiosis in a reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus)

Abstract. Systemic infection by Nocardia asteroides was diagnosed in a reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). At necropsy, the animal had enlarged tracheobronchial lymph nodes, pleural and peritoneal effusions, and numerous, multifocal to coalescing, yellow, firm nodules with inspissated pus in the lung, pleura, omentum, liver, heart, adrenal glands, and left kidney. Microscopically, the nodules consisted of foci of pyogranulomatous inflammation. Microscopic lesions were present in the grossly affected organs as well as spleen and brain. Sections stained with Gram and modified Fite-Faraco histochemical stains had numerous gram-positive, variably acid fast, beaded and branching filamentous organisms in the necrotic centers. N. asteroides was isolated from the lung, bronchial lymph nodes, liver, and left kidney. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of systemic N. asteroides infection in a reindeer. Key words: Kidney; lung; Nocardia asteroides; reindeer; systemic infection. <!?show "fnote_aff1"$^!"content-markup(./author-grp[1]/aff|./author-grp[1]/dept-list)> Nocardiosis is a suppurative or, less frequently, pyogran-ulomatous disease caused by aerobic bacteria of the genus Nocardia.3 These gram-positive, branching and partially acid fast bacteria cause localized or systemic disease. Th