Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of Haemophilus somnus and Pasteurella sp bacterins

Abstract

The role of bacteria in the production of acute bovine respiratory disease (BRD) (shipping fever) has long been recognized. Although numerous bacteria have been isolated from the respiratory tracts of affected cattle, Pasteurella sp. have been considered to be the major bacterial pathogens for many years while Haemophilus somnus has more recently been incriminated as a significant etiologic agent. It has been established beyond any reasonable doubt that Pasteurella multocida and/or Pasteurella hemolytica is an essential component in the etiology of shipping fever and that the advanced clinical signs, characteristic fibrinous pneumonia and death losses are basically due to pasteurellosis.