Experimental induction of caseous lymphadenitis in sheep by intralymphatic inoculation of Corynebacterium ovis.

Lesions histologically similar to those of natural caseous lymphadenitis developed in sheep popliteal lymph nodes following injection of viable Corynebacterium ovis cells into afferent lymphatic ducts. Histopathological examination of affected lymph nodes suggested that exotoxin might be involved in the establishment, progressive development and persistence of caseous lymphadenitis lesions through localised cytotoxicity.