Caseous lymphadenitis

Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis found mostly in goats and sheep that at present has no cure. It is also known as “thin ewe syndrome” due to causing wasting in certain cases. It manifests itself predominantly in the form of large, pus-filled cysts on the neck, sides and udders of goats and sheep. Abscesses can also develop on internal organs. The disease is spread mostly from an animal coming in contact with pus from a burst cyst on an infected animal, but the disease is highly contagious and is thought to also be spread by coughing or even by flies. Studies have found CL incidence in commercial goat herds as high as 30%. Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis found mostly in goats and sheep that at present has no cure. It is also known as “thin ewe syndrome” due to causing wasting in certain cases. It manifests itself predominantly in the form of large, pus-filled cysts on the neck, sides and udders of goats and sheep. Abscesses can also develop on internal organs. The disease is spread mostly from an animal coming in contact with pus from a burst cyst on an infected animal, but the disease is highly contagious and is thought to also be spread by coughing or even by flies. Studies have found CL incidence in commercial goat herds as high as 30%.