Download bacillary_hb_urea

Def:
is an acute, infectious, toxemic disease
caused by Clostridium haemolyticum
bacteria which is a soil borne bacterium that
can survive a long time in contaminated soil
or in bones of infected carcasses
Etiology :
Ingestion of C. haemolyticum bacteria
which is a soilborne organism naturally
found in the GI tract of some cattle.
accidental liver puncture, liver biopsy, or
any other cause of localized necrosis.
* This disease is also seen in association with liver
flukes.
* It affects cattle and has also been found in sheep
and rarely in dogs
* it is a rapidly fatal disease of cattle, sheep
* Bacillary hemoglobinuria is also called “Red Water
Disease” in western Canada.
Pathogenesis :
Clostriduim hemolyticum in unsuitable condition
it produces spores that can survive in the environment for a long time
when cattle ingest food contaminated with spores
The spores penetrate the lining of the intestines
spread to the blood stream and make their way to the liver
They remain inactive until the liver is damaged by invading liver
flukes which provides conditions suitable for growth
they start growing they release two toxins.
The first destroys adjacent tissue which allows the
bacteria to continue to grow.
The second is released into the circulating system
destroys the red blood cells causing discolored urine
or “red water”.
Red blood cell destruction also causes lack of oxygen to
the body tissues and death of the animal.
Clinical signs :
*Cattle may be found dead without premonitory signs.
* there is a sudden onset of severe depression, fever,
abdominal pain, dyspnea, dysentery, and
hemoglobinuria.
*Anemia and jaundice are present in varying degrees.
*Edema of the brisket may occur.
*Hgb and RBC levels are quite low.
*The duration of clinical signs varies from ~12 hr in
pregnant cows to ~3–4 days in other cattle.
*Mortality in untreated animals is ~95%.
*Some cattle suffer from subclinical attacks of the disease
and thereafter act as immune carriers.
*The incubation period of this disease is 7 – 10 days.
Macroscopically :
1- Dehydration, anemia, and subcutaneous edema are seen
2- There is bloody fluid in the abdominal and thoracic cavities.
Respiratory tract :
The lungs are not grossly affected
the trachea contains bloody froth with hemorrhages in
the mucosa.
Digestive tract :
The small intestine and the large intestine are hemorrhagic their
contents often contain free or clotted blood.
An ischemic infarct in the liver is characteristic it is slightly
elevated, lighter in color than the surrounding tissue, and
outlined by a bluish red zone of congestion.
Urinary tract :
The kidneys are dark, friable, and usually studded
with petechiae.
The bladder contains purplish red urine.
After death, rigor mortis sets in quickly
DIAGNOSIS:
Bacillary hemoglobinuria can be diagnosed by clinical signs and
post mortem findings, but can be confirmed though lab tests by
either isolating the bacteria from the liver (by culture,
fluorescent antibody, or immunohistochemistry), or the toxin
from in the liver or abdominal cavity fluid.
Proper diagnosis is important as there are other diseases that may
present similarly including; anaplasmosis, anthrax, bracken fern
poisoning, and leptospirosis