Clostridial disease Flashcards
Why are clostridial bacteria so bad?
They produce ENDOSPORES which are extremely resistant to heat, drought, and disinfectants. When they reach a favorable microenvironment in the host, they grow and release toxins.
Common name for Clostridium chauvoei?
Blackleg is the common name for C. chauvoei
C. chauvoei transmission
- endospores are ingested and then cross GI tract into the bloodstream
- endospores become deposited throughout the body, or enter through a wound
- bacteria become activated and multiply in an anaerobic environment, particularly in **bruised or damaged muscle tissue ** (this commonly occurs after transport, handling, injection, or other rough activity)
C. chauvoei CS:
- lameness, fever, depression, anorexia
- swelling with possible palpable crepitus from gas bubbles
- animals die rapidly without signs of illness (within 12-48 hours)
Diagnosis of C. chauvoei
- presumptive diagnosis can be based on gaseous swelling in a young animal
- necropsy will show the infected area is black and necrotic with gas bubbles
- *foul, sweet odor, * often described as resembling “rancid butter” is present
Treatment of C. chauvoei
-dz is fatal unless identified early and treated with penicillin (survivors may have permanent deformity)
Prevention of C. chauvoei
- carcass should be immediately disposed of without contaminating the environment
- dz is prevented by vaccination with 7-way bacterin vaccine (2 doses at one month intervals)
Malignant edema is caused by ___
various Clostridium species (all in the 7 way bacterin vaccine)
Malignant edema features
- affects cattle, sheep, goats, and horses of any age
- dz develops when an OPEN WOUND is infected with bacteria (may be introduced from injury, castration, difficult parturition, fighting, etc.)
Malignant edema CS
- localized swelling/edema that may gravitate to dependent portion of the wound
- depression, anorexia, high fever
- death often occurs within 24-48 hours
Malignant edema diagnosis/lesions
on necropsy, the infected area is darkened with a foul odor. There is swelling without gas accumulation
Malignant edema treatment
-often fatal unless identified early and treated with penicillin
Malignant edema prevention
-prevented by vaccination with 2 doses of 7-way bacterin vaccine, clean surgery, and clean environment post sx procedures
What is the common name for C. haemolyticum?
Redwater disease is the common name for C. haemolyticum
C. haemolyticum transmission
- affects cattle and sheep
- endospores are ingested and the bacteria lodge in the liver
- when damage occurs int he liver (often due to the LIVER FLUKE), the bacteria replicates
- the toxin released results in RBC lysis
C. haemolyticum CS
- reddish discoloration of urine due to HEMOGLOBINURIA
- labored breathing
- ANEMIA, icterus
- dehydration, fever
C. haemolyticum diagnosis/lesions
- extremely pale animal with red urine and thin, watery blood
- often a large necrotic area in the liver
C. haemolyticum treatment
-penicillin or tetracycline and antitoxin serum
C. haemolyticum prevention
- prevented with 2 doses of bacterin with booster given every 6 months
- control liver flukes
What is the common name for Clostridium novyi Type B?
Black disease/Infectious Necrotic Hepatitis is the common name for C. novyi Type B