Pigeon Fever (Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis)

Overview

Pigeon Fever refers to a collection of syndromes caused by infection with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, a gram-positive bacteria with worldwide distribution. Equine cases have been reported throughout the United States and in areas of Canada. Infection has also been reported in equids, sheep, goats, cattle, buffalo, camelids, and, on rare occasions, humans. The distribution of this disease appears to be expanding, and outbreaks in areas in which the bacteria had previously not been reported have occurred during times of drought. Biotypes isolated from small ruminants and camelids are nitrate negative, while those from horses are nitrate positive. While natural cross-species transmission does not occur between small ruminants and horses, cattle can be infected by either biotype.

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