Clostridium Perfringens
Discription of the disease
Clostridium is a genus of Gram-positive bacteria, belonging to the Firmicutes. They are obligate anaerobes capable of producing endospores. Clostridium consists of around 100 species that include common free-living bacteria as well as important pathogens. There are four main species responsible for disease in the animal husbandry and even in humans. (1)
Of these four main species Clostridium Perfringens is the most common and dangerous one in the poultry sector.
The C. Perfringens bacteria exists of six different types, type A, B, C, D, E and F. Type B, C and D are the most common ones. (4)
Together with Type C and D, A forms the biggest risk for enterotoxaemia. Clostridium perfringens normally inhabits the digestive tract in small numbers without causing disease. If any toxin is produced, it is in small quantities and passes through the animal without causing problems. If an animal is exposed to a sudden increase in carbohydrates, such as a heavy feeding of milk, lush pastures or supplementary concentrates, resident bacteria may multiply rapidly and produce large amounts of toxin. These toxins may damage the intestines, facilitating the absorption of toxins to the bloodstream. The end result of this intoxication is usually rapid death. The collective term for this disease is enterotoxemia. (4)
- Clostridium botulinum, an organism that produces botulinum toxin in foods/wounds and can cause botulism.
- Clostridium difficile, which can flourish when other bacteria in the gut are killed during antibiotic therapy, leading to pseudomembranous colitis (a cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea).
- Clostridium perfringens, causes a wide range of symptoms, from food poisoning to gas gangrene. Also responsible for enterotoxemia (also known as "overeating disease" or "pulpy kidney disease") in sheep and goats. C. perfringens also takes the place of yeast in the making of salt rising bread. The name perfringens means 'breaking through' or 'breaking in pieces'.
- Clostridium tetani, the causative organism of tetanus. (2)
Of these four main species Clostridium Perfringens is the most common and dangerous one in the poultry sector.
The C. Perfringens bacteria exists of six different types, type A, B, C, D, E and F. Type B, C and D are the most common ones. (4)
- Type B strains produce Alpha, Beta and Epsilon toxins which are dangerous to Poultry and young stock.
- Type C strains produce Alpha and Beta toxins. C. Perfringens type C is the main cause of enterotoxaemia also known as necrotic enteritis.
- Type D strains produce Alpha and Epsilon toxins. (2)
Together with Type C and D, A forms the biggest risk for enterotoxaemia. Clostridium perfringens normally inhabits the digestive tract in small numbers without causing disease. If any toxin is produced, it is in small quantities and passes through the animal without causing problems. If an animal is exposed to a sudden increase in carbohydrates, such as a heavy feeding of milk, lush pastures or supplementary concentrates, resident bacteria may multiply rapidly and produce large amounts of toxin. These toxins may damage the intestines, facilitating the absorption of toxins to the bloodstream. The end result of this intoxication is usually rapid death. The collective term for this disease is enterotoxemia. (4)
Cause
The most important source of infection in poultry appears to be contaminated litter, water and the environment and feed.
In general, the presence of C. Perfringens in the intestinal tract does not lead to the development of NE. One or several predisposing factors may be required to provoke the clinical signs and lesions. It appears that some dysfunctions of the alimentary tract and the change of intestinal flora are necessary predisposing cause of infection. Intestinal stasis, intestinal distension, coccidiosis, salmonellosis, may predispose the birds to infection. Further factors are the consumption of diets high in energy, protein and fish meal, as well as wheat-based diet. (3)
In general, the presence of C. Perfringens in the intestinal tract does not lead to the development of NE. One or several predisposing factors may be required to provoke the clinical signs and lesions. It appears that some dysfunctions of the alimentary tract and the change of intestinal flora are necessary predisposing cause of infection. Intestinal stasis, intestinal distension, coccidiosis, salmonellosis, may predispose the birds to infection. Further factors are the consumption of diets high in energy, protein and fish meal, as well as wheat-based diet. (3)
Diagnosis
NE is an acute disease caused by C. Perfringens when the bacteria reproduces itself to high numbers in the small intestine, and produces toxins responsible for damaging the intestines. The disease has been observed in several domestic and wild birds worldwide. Besides clinically manifested disease, subclinical infections may take place and are mostly accompanied with reduction of performance due to damage of the intestinal cell lining. (33)
Clinical
The clinical signs
appear suddenly; apparently healthy birds may become acutely depressed and die
within hours. Mortality ranges between 2 and 10%. Affected birds show ruffled
feathers, marked depression, in appetence, tendency to huddle, watery droppings
and diarrhoea.
- Depression
- Ruffled
feathers
- Inappetance
- Closed
eyes
- Immobility
- Dark coloured diarrhoea
On autopsy
On autopsy,
dehydration is the most common finding. Breast muscles are dark red and
gizzards are full. Severe inflammation in the duodenum and jejunum is the most
predominant finding, but in some instances the entire length of the intestinal
tract is involved. The intestine is distended and contains dark offensive
fluid. The mucosa is covered with green or brown diphteroid membrane, which can
be easily separated from the lining.
Consequenses
Generally spoken C. Perfringens causes mortification of the intestines. Broilers are the biggest risk group since these animals are kept very intensively and the diet exists of high energy and protein. Mortality may be around 5-50% but usually is about 10%.
List of sources
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J. EI-Jakee, Nagwa S. Ata, Mona A. El Shabrawy, Azza
S.M. Abu Elnaga, 12 2 2 Riham H. Hedia, N.M. Shawky and H.M. Shawky. (2013).
Characterization of Clostridium perfringens Isolated from Poultry. Cairo University. 1 (http://idosi.org/gv/gv11(1)13/16.pdf), all.
2. I. Svobodová, I. Serová, M. nebola. (2007). Incidence of Clostridium perfringens in Broiler Chickens in the Czech Republic. university of veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences brno. 1 (http://actavet.vfu.cz/pdf/200776S8S025.pdf), all.
3. L. Niilo. (1988). Clostridium perfringens Type C Enterotoxemia. Can Vet. 29 (-), ALL.
4. Michael D. Piontkowski. (Unknown). Clostridium Perfringens in Domestic Farm Animals. Available: http://www.colorado-serum.com/vets/vol_1/vol1_2.htm. Last accessed 26-05-2014.
5. M. Groot, T. van Asseldonk, I. Puls-van der Kamp. (2011). Stalboekje Pluimvee natuurlijk gezond met kruiden en andere natuurproducten.Available: http://edepot.wur.nl/161911. Last accessed 26-05-2014.
6. EDITOR WORLDPOULTRY. (2010). Enteric diseases with special attention to Clostridium perfringens. Available: http://www.worldpoultry.net/Broilers/Health/2010/5/Enteric-diseases-with-special-attention-to-Clostridium-perfringens-WP007442W/. Last accessed 26-05-2014.
7. I. Svobodová, I. SteInhauSerová, M. nebola. (2007). Incidence of Clostridium perfringens in Broiler Chickens in the Czech Republic. -. - (-), ALL.
8. A. Y.-L. Teo & H.-M. Tan. (2006). Effect of Bacillus subtilis PB6 (CloSTAT) on Broilers Infected with a Pathogenic Strain of Escherichia coli. Available: http://japr.oxfordjournals.org/content/15/2/229.abstract. Last accessed 26-05-2014.
9. W. van der Sluis. (2010). CloSTAT. Available: http://www.kemin.com/products/clostat. Last accessed 26-05-2014.
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2. I. Svobodová, I. Serová, M. nebola. (2007). Incidence of Clostridium perfringens in Broiler Chickens in the Czech Republic. university of veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences brno. 1 (http://actavet.vfu.cz/pdf/200776S8S025.pdf), all.
3. L. Niilo. (1988). Clostridium perfringens Type C Enterotoxemia. Can Vet. 29 (-), ALL.
4. Michael D. Piontkowski. (Unknown). Clostridium Perfringens in Domestic Farm Animals. Available: http://www.colorado-serum.com/vets/vol_1/vol1_2.htm. Last accessed 26-05-2014.
5. M. Groot, T. van Asseldonk, I. Puls-van der Kamp. (2011). Stalboekje Pluimvee natuurlijk gezond met kruiden en andere natuurproducten.Available: http://edepot.wur.nl/161911. Last accessed 26-05-2014.
6. EDITOR WORLDPOULTRY. (2010). Enteric diseases with special attention to Clostridium perfringens. Available: http://www.worldpoultry.net/Broilers/Health/2010/5/Enteric-diseases-with-special-attention-to-Clostridium-perfringens-WP007442W/. Last accessed 26-05-2014.
7. I. Svobodová, I. SteInhauSerová, M. nebola. (2007). Incidence of Clostridium perfringens in Broiler Chickens in the Czech Republic. -. - (-), ALL.
8. A. Y.-L. Teo & H.-M. Tan. (2006). Effect of Bacillus subtilis PB6 (CloSTAT) on Broilers Infected with a Pathogenic Strain of Escherichia coli. Available: http://japr.oxfordjournals.org/content/15/2/229.abstract. Last accessed 26-05-2014.
9. W. van der Sluis. (2010). CloSTAT. Available: http://www.kemin.com/products/clostat. Last accessed 26-05-2014.
10. Unknown. (-). Rurex. Available: http://www.schaette.de/shop/geflugel/rurex.html?___store=en&___from_store=de. Last accessed 05/06/2014.
11. Unknown. (-). Rurex. Available: http://www.euroduna.com/products-carob_specialities.0209.en.html?csid=227cd547a0c3daa414ddfabe8097ca83. Last accessed 05/06/2014.