BOVINE ABORTION AND NEONATAL DEATH ASSOCIATED WITH UREAPLASMA-DIVERSUM

Ureaplasma diversum was isolated from the lungs and/or stomach fluid and placentas of 5 aborted bovine fetuses and 4 newborn calves. All isolates were serotype D48. Placentitis was observed in all instances in which the placenta was examined. Gross lesions consisted of focal or diffuse reddening of the chorioallantois and amnion and thickening of the amnion. Microscopically, fibrosis, edema and inflammation of the amnion were observed. Microscopic lesions in the lung consisted of diffuse peumonitis with thickening of the alveolar walls and in some cases peribronchiolar lymphoid accumulations. Macrophages and granulocytes were present in the alveoli. Inoculation of the vulva of a virgin heifer with 1 of the isolates from a fetal lung produced hyperemia and profuse purulent discharge with slight granularity.