World veterinarian Quiz - 37

 

 Clostridium diseases in animals

       1.    Black quarter :- Click here

       2.    Tetanus:- Click here

       3.    Enterotoxaemia :- Click here

       4.    Bacillary haemoglobinuria:- Click here

       5.    Botulism

       6.    Braxy

       7.    Infectious Necrotic hepatitis

       8.    Malignant oedema

Organism	Disease
Cl. chauvoei	Black quarter/ black leg
Cl. tetani	Tetanus
Cl. perfringens	Enterotoxaemia
Cl. septicum	Braxy, malignant edema  (gas agangrene)
Cl. haemolyticum	Bovine bacillary haemoglobinuria /  red water disease
Cl. novyi	Black disease
Cl. botulinum	Botulism

   BLACK QUARTER

SYNONYMS: 

   ü  Black leg

   ü  Quarter ill

   ü  Symptomatic anthrax

   ü  Emphysematous gangrene

   ü  Charbon symptomatique

   ü  Felon

   ü  Carbon oil symptomatico

   ü  Raush brand

 

INTRODUCTION

   ⇒ Black quarter is caused by clostridium chauvoei and This is an acute infection but not contagious disease of cattle, sheep and goat. The disease is characterized by development of focal gangrenous and emphysematous myositis. This give rise to crepitation and sero hemorrhagic swelling in the heavy muscles like gluteal muscles.The disease produces severe toxaemia with very rapid course and high mortality.

DISTRIBUTION

  ⇒  Widespread in tropical countries mainly.

  ⇒  The disease spread rapidly following heavy rainfall.

  ⇒  In India the disease is sporadic in nature. The disease appears in almost all states of the country during rainy season and warm month (spring to autumn)

ETIOLOGY

  ⇒  Black quarter is caused by  clostridium chauvoei , gram positive rod shaped , spore forming toxin producing anaerobic bacteria.

  ⇒  The spores are very much unaffected to hot drying and disinfectants and spores can with stand 120 degrees Celsius temperature for 10 minutes.

  ⇒  The spores can persist in the soil for number of years.

  ⇒  False Black quarter can be caused by Cl. Septicum and Cl. Novyi.  

  ⇒  Cl. Chauvoei is considered as the primary cause of black quarters and other anaerobes are supposed to be secondary invaders.

  ⇒  In pig: gas gangrene is due to Cl. Septicum & clostridium chauvoei.

SUSCEPTIBLE HOST

  ⇒  Cattle is the most susceptible host but the infection may spread to other animal do too traumatization of the muscles.

  ⇒  The disease may occur in sheep Buffalo and goat.

  ⇒  Cattle of all breeds are susceptible but the incidence is more common In cattle having 4 to 24 months of age group and good body condition.

MODE OF TRANSMISSION

  ⇒  The disease spreads from contaminated soils. The contamination of soil is due to infected carcasses which cause pollution of the land. The organisms gain entry through ingestion of infected feeds or possibly through contamination of wounds. Organisms are excreted in the faeces.

  ⇒  Most of infection transmitted by following skin wound

·         Wound during shearing

·         Wound during docking

·         Wound during vulvar/vaginal laceration at time of parturition or lambing

PATHOGENESIS

Ingested organisms are carried from the intestine via circulation to the skeletal muscles.

⇓

The spores from the elementary tract penetrate tissues from the places of breach of alimentary mucosa due to trauma.

⇓

Some of the sports in the muscles are destroyed by phagocytosis and others remain latent for at least several weeks.

⇓

The infection may affect the muscles inter muscular tissue.

⇓

Very often heavy muscles which are well formed like muscles of gluteal region, loin and shoulders are affected.

⇓

There is necrosis of the muscles and blood capillaries.

⇓

Gases used to accumulate within the muscle fibres due to fermentation.

⇓

The infection can also be spread through peritoneum and pleura.

⇓

Exotoxins produced from the organisms which causes systemic reaction characterized by toxaemia and local reaction characterized by necrotising myositis.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

  v  Incubation period is usually 2-5 days. Under the influence of toxic products elaborated during the growth of the organisms the muscles degenerate and gases are evolved. The toxic products are absorbed by the body fluids causing systemic disturbances and a decrease in the animals vitality.

  v  In cattle:

ü  The first symptom is a rise in body temperature which may be as high as 106 degrees Celsius or 108 degrees Celsius but sometimes there is hardly any sign of fever.

ü  The appetite is lossed and rumination is suspended

ü  There is stiffness or lameness in one of the Limb. This being the usual early symptom.

ü  Very soon characteristic swelling develops in one of the thick layers of muscle.

ü  Most commonly the lesions are located on the Thigh, buttocks, shoulder next and lumbar region and more rarely in the intermandibular space or in the tongue.

ü  The structures get disrupted due to gas pocket giving rise to a spongy texture and on pressure swellings emit crackling or crepitation sound due to emphysema.

ü  There is laboured breathing and accelerated pulse rate 100 to 120 per minute.

ü  Finally the temperature drops and the patient dies within 12 to 48 hours after manifestation of the clinical signs.

 

  v  Sheep:

ü  Stiff gait

ü  Bleeding from nose

ü  Anorexia

ü  Fever

ü  depression

ü  Severe lameness in one or more limbs

ü  Not seen sub cutaneous edema and not felt gaseous crepitation sound before death

ü  Death

  v  Horse:

ü  Not well define the clinical signs

ü  Pectoral edema

ü  Stiff gait

ü  Incoordination of gait observed

Macroscopic Pathology

   ü  Quick putrefaction and bloat

   ü  Blood stained froth seen in nostril and anus

   ü  Rapid clotting of blood

   ü  When incision at affected muscles mass is dark red to black colour

   ü  Affected tissue are swollen, rancid odour and containing gas bubbles 

   ü  Lungs are congested and atelectasis   

   ü  Lesions are limited to affected muscles. Muscles of shoulders thigh, Neck are usually affected. Lesions me also be observed in the tongue diaphragm and myocardium. Large crepitating swellings are the most characteristic necropsy finding.

courtesy Dr. J. Simon, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois.

A courtesy Dr. B.A. Valentine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University. 

B courtesy Dr. M.D. McGavin, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee.

Microscopic Pathology

   ü  Edema, emphysema, myonecrosis and neutrophilic cellulitis.

 

courtesy Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island.

C courtesy Dr. M.D. McGavin, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

   ü  Malignant edema

   ü  Anthrax

   ü  Lightning strike

   ü  Bacillary hemoglobinuria

 

DIAGNOSIS

   ü  In the field outbreak, a tentative diagnosis is made from the history

   ü  clinical observation

   ü  Post mortem findings.

LAB TESTS:

   ü  Microscopic examination of smear

   ü  Cultural test

   ü  Biological test

   ü  FAT

 

TREATMENT

   ü  Penicillin is extensively used and considered as drug of choice. The antibiotic may be injected into the affected muscles.

   ü  Penicillin G sodium/potassium (44,000 IU/kg IV q6–8h)

   ü  Clostridium chauvoei antitoxin

   ü  Surgical debridement of affected muscles

 

   ü  IMMUNIZATION

   ü  Vaccine: polyvalent, BAIF

   Combined HS &BQ Vaccine