Disseminated Mortierella wolfii infection in a neonatal calf

While bovine abortion due to Mortierella wolfii is common in the North Island of New Zealand (Carter et al. 1973), there are few reports of this fungus resulting in disseminated mycosis in neonatal calves (Carter et al. 1973; Neilan et al. 1982). Presented here is the first report of M. wolfii causing hypopyon in a calf.
A 6-day-old, female Friesian calf on a farm in the lower half of the North Island of New Zealand was observed to have white floccular material visible within both eyes. The owner reported that the calf had been born 3 weeks earlier than predicted from the date of insemination. The calf had initially stood and suckled normally, but became progressively more depressed and required greater encouragement to drink. Although there was no evidence of joint swelling, neurological disease, or faecal staining of the perineum, a presumptive diagnosis of hypopyon due to bacterial septicaemia was made and, due to the poor prognosis, the calf was subject to euthanasia by an I/V administration of an overdose of pentobarbitone…(continued)