ET Clostridium Flashcards
List the 2 enterotoxic clostridia
- C. Perfringens
- C. Difficile
Characteristics of C. Perfringens
Encapsulated, boxcar shaped, non-motile, gram +ve, rod, spore forming, anaerobe
C. Perfringens is assc. w/
Gas gangrene or enterotoxemia(ruminants)
Diarrhea in other species
Natural habitat of C. Perfringens
Environment or GIT
What is the most important cause of clostridial disease in domestic animals (especially ruminants)
C. Perfringens
Diseases C. Perfringens causes (first 5)
- gastritis & hemolytic disease (ruminants)
- hemorrhagic abomasitis (calves)
- yellow lamb disease (enterotoxemic jaundice)
- jejunal hemorrhage syndrome (cattle)
- necrotic enteritis (chickens)
Diseases C. Perfringens causes (last 2)
- hemorrhagic enteritis/struck (in young farm animals)
- pulpy kidney disease/enterotoxemia
Pulpy kidney disease
- sheep 3-10 wks & older
- aka ‘overeating disease”
- feedlots
- caused by sudden changes to righ/hihg concentrate diets
- causes: GI flora upset, multiplication of C.p type D & epsilon toxin, CNS signs, sudden death
C. Difficile characteristics
Gram +ve, motile, spore forming, bacilli
Natural habitat of C. Difficile
GIT normal humans & animals
C. Difficile causes what in humans and horses
- fatal diarrheal disease (pseudomembranous colitis)
Toxins of C. Difficile cause
Enterocolitis and diarrhea
Most common condition preceding C. Difficile infection
Antimicrobial therapy
Is c. Difficile noscomical?
Yes
(Especially in older adults in hospitals or long term care facilities)
How many americans die of C. Difficile each yr
14,000
