Clostridia & Anthrax & Toxins Flashcards
clostridia are what type of bac t ?
gram + rods, anaerobic
form spores
what should be considered as a ddx for all cases of sudden death?
Clostridial disease
true or false: clostridia can be transmitted between animals
false.
what is the cause of clinical disease of clostridiosis?
exotoxins
what are the clostridiosis risk factors?
- age: young>adult, FTPI
- species (horses = tetanus) (C. perfringens type D lambs > calves)
- beef > dairy
- injuries (esp umbilical cord or castration)
- environment (soil disturbance)
- nutrition (sudden diet change)
the dead calves are the heavier calves!! the healthy ones in good BCS die bc they’re eating more
how do you diagnose clostridiosis?
necropsy ;)
culture (FAT & PCR), ELISA (exotoxin ID)
are there clostridial vaccines?
yes. most are killed bacterin, require booster annually
anaphylaxis = risk factor
make sure tetanus is in there!
what are the neurotoxic clostridia?
C. tetani, C. botulinum
what are the histotoxic clostridia?
C. septicum, C. chauvoei, C. haemolyticum/C. novyi type D, C. novyi, C. sodellii, C. perfringens
what are the enterotoxin clostridia?
C. perfringens, C. sodellii, C. piliforme, C. difficile
who is affected by C. tetani, what predisposing factors is it associated with, and what does it do to the body?
who: all species, not birds
predisposing factors: wounds
what: spastic paralysis due to tetanospasm (inhibits inhibitors)
what are the C/S of tetanus?
pyrexia, sweating, opisthotonus, convulsions, muscular stiffness, muscle tremor, ataxia, prolapse of 3rd eyelid, ears erect and tail head out, limbs become rigid
bloat is a common early sign
progresses to recumbency prior to death
what is the tx for tetanus?
- antitoxin available
- penicillin + NSAID + sedatives (acepromazine)
- keep animals in dark, bedded sheds
- but, generally euthanize
what does C. botulinum do to the body and what predisposing factor is it associated with?
what: flaccid paralysis (inhibit Ach release)
PF: eating toxin from decaying matter
what are the C/S of botulism?
sudden death, progressive muscle weakness, reduced muscle tone, difficulty swallowing, tongue paralysis, resp failure due to diaphragm paralysis = death
how do you dx tetanus?
C/S, hx
no pathognomonic lesions
how do you dx botulism
C/S, hx
no pathognomonic lesions
how do you tx botulism?
usually euthanize
but there is an antitoxin + supportive therapy option
what disease does C. chauvoei cause?
Blackleg (clostridial myositis)
what are the predisposing factors for blackleg?
- 2-24mo, warm season
- damage to muscles
(ingest spores, GIT–>muscle, lay dormant, trauma = low O2, replication, Toxin A production)
what are the C/S of blackleg?
sudden death
pyrexia, severe lameness, edema, crepitus (emphysema)
clostridial diseases cause ___ decomposition of the carcass.
rapid!
how do you dx black leg? what are you looking for?
necropsy!!!
black rancid gas filled muscle
(limbs, heart, tongue, diaphragm, longissimus)
culture & FAT to confirm
how do you tx black leg
penicillin and fasciotomy
herd tx and vaccination at same time
avoid injuries while handling
what disease does C. septicum cause?
malignant edema/gas gangrene
“big head” in bighorn sheep
what predisposing factor is associated with malignant edema?
damage to muscles
what are the C/S of malignant oedema?
localized swelling around injury –> oedematous and emphysematous wound
pyrexia and rapidly toxemic
how do you dx malignant edema?
necropsy!
gram stain, PCR, FAT
what are you looking for on necropsy with malignant edema?
cellulitis and/or necrotizing myositis
gas gangrene, edema, hemorrhage present, cellulitis
how do you treat malignant edema?
Abx, fasciotomy
what disease does C. novyi type B cause?
Black disease (infectious necrotising hepatitis)
what predisposing factor is associated with black disease (infectious necrotising hepatitis)?
damage to liver by migrating fluke
what are the C/S of black disease?
sudden death
you have a cow with black disease in for necropsy. what do you expect to find?
increase in serous or blood-tinged fluid in body cavities, hepatic lesions (pale yellow to white irregular necrotic areas surrounded by dark red to black hyperaemia)
evidence of fluke migration
what disease does C. haemolyticum cause?
bacillary hemoglobinuria (red water)
what predisposing factor is bacillary hemoglobinuria assoc with
liver fluke migration
summer and autumn
what are the C/S of bacillary hemoglobinuria
anemia, hemoglobinuria, arched back, recumbency, resp distress, death
what is the primary lesion on necropsy for bacillary hemoglobinuria?
hepatic necrosis (red/brown liver)
icteric carcass
what type of hemolysis does bacillary hemoglobinuria cause?
intravascular hemolysis
what disease does C. perfringens type A cause?
hemorrhagic enteritis