Poll evil is associated with a draining tract at the poll region due to infection with which organism?

Poll evil is associated with a draining tract at the poll region due to infection with which organism?

• A. Brucella
• B. Pasteurella
• C. Staphylococcus aureus
• D. Streptococcus equi

Answer: (A)

Poll evil is a chronic infection of the poll region that forms a draining sinus over the occipital area. The organism most classically implicated is Brucella, an intracellular bacterium that localizes in lymphoid and surrounding tissues, leading to granulomatous inflammation and persistent fistulous tracts at the poll. This specific drainage pattern is characteristic of Brucella infection, whereas the other organisms listed tend to cause different disease patterns: Pasteurella often affects the respiratory system and soft tissues elsewhere, Staphylococcus aureus is a common skin and wound pathogen, and Streptococcus equi causes strangles with facial swelling and submandibular lymphadenopathy rather than a solitary poll draining tract.

Poll evil is a chronic infection of the poll region that forms a draining sinus over the occipital area. The organism most classically implicated is Brucella, an intracellular bacterium that localizes in lymphoid and surrounding tissues, leading to granulomatous inflammation and persistent fistulous tracts at the poll. This specific drainage pattern is characteristic of Brucella infection, whereas the other organisms listed tend to cause different disease patterns: Pasteurella often affects the respiratory system and soft tissues elsewhere, Staphylococcus aureus is a common skin and wound pathogen, and Streptococcus equi causes strangles with facial swelling and submandibular lymphadenopathy rather than a solitary poll draining tract.