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Caseous Lymphadenitis in Humans

Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL) is a disease typically found in goats and sheep, causing abscessing on the lymph nodes and internal organs. Since it is a zoonotic disease, it can be transmitted to humans, although such cases are rare.

  1. Instances

    • The U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that in Australia, workers regularly exposed to sheep have contracted CL. The Merck Veterinary Manual further notes that the disease is widespread among sheep populations in North America, so humans with similar occupational exposure to sheep face the risk of contracting CL in any nation.

    Effects

    • In those cases mentioned in the U.S. Library of Medicine's report, abscesses were surgically removed from the patients, who were further treated with antibiotics.

    Future

    • Vaccines exist which lessen the occurrence of CL in animals, so human cases should lessen and remain subdued as well. Eating the meat of an infected animal will not transmit CL to humans, since infectious external abscesses remain on the removed animal hide, and abscesses on internal organs are discarded.

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