author(s)
PR Aziz, KK Kamal, K Gaurav and M Saini

abstract
Actinobacillosis is an infectious, chronic, generally non-fatal disease caused by Actinobacillus lignieresii. The causative agent is a commensal organism in the mouth and rumen of cattle and sheep. Infection probably occurs endogenously as a result of small wounds. The classical form of the disease in cattle results in swelling and hardening of tongue, which is often, referred as wooden tongue. Local infection by the organism results in an acute inflammatory reaction and the subsequent development of granulomatous lesions in which necrosis and suppuration develop, often with discharge of pus. Infection spreads to the regional lymph nodes. Lingual involvement in cattle interferes with mastication due to acute inflammation in early stage and distortion of the tongue at a later stage. Younger animals ranging from two to five years of age are more susceptible.