Prevalence and identification of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in slaughtered sheep in central Algeria

Caseous lymphadenitis, also called abscess disease, is an infectious, cosmopolitan disease. The causative agent is a Gram-positive bacillus, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis that is resistant to antibiotic treatment. Humans become infected with this bacillus, but the disease is considered a neglected zoonosis. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and to identify Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in sheep slaughtered in central Algeria. For this purpose, 897 animals were examined and samples (pus) were taken from 12 sheep with abscesses to perform bacteriological study. Sex, age, and location of the abscess were noted. The results obtained showed an overall prevalence of 1.33%. The highest rate (50%) was observed in animals aged between 8 months and 1 year. Males were more affected by abscesses (66.7%) than females (33.3%). As for localisation, 41% of abscesses were found in the pulmonary lymph nodes and 25% in the submandibular region. Infection by Corynebacterium was estimated at a rate of 25%, lower than that obtained for Staphylococcus (41.7%). Regarding the zoonotic nature of the disease, the bacteria’s ability to survive in the external environment, and the high risk of contamination, management measures should be implemented for better disease control and prevention.