Detection of Epsilon Toxin in Goats Affected with Acute Enterotoxaemia and the Haemato-biochemical Alterations

Abstract

Background: The principal cause of caprine enterotoxaemia is Clostridium perfringens type D which is normally resident in digestive tract and soil in fairly low numbers. Overeating of carbohydrate rich diet or sudden change in diet leads to proliferation of the bacteria and release of lethal toxins in intestine of the host. It causes sudden death in affected ruminants of different ages, though lambs of 3 to 10 weeks of age are highly susceptible. It causes sever enterocolitis with or without haemorrhagic diarrhoea and encephalitis resulting in acute nervous signs with a fatal outcome. Methods: Thirty goats of different breeds under 1-4 years age and both sex were presented to Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli with the neurological signs and diarrhoea were the subject of study. Faecal samples were collected from all these cases and tested on spot by immunochromatographic test kit to identify the Clostridium perfringens Epsilon toxin (ETX). Blood and serum samples were collected and subjected haemato-biochemical analysis. Peripheral blood smears were also collected to rule out haemoprotozoan infections in all the cases. Result: Epsilon toxin was detected from faecal samples of 36.6 per cent of the goats. Diarrhoea was the most consistent finding which is due to enterocolitis in acute cases. A significant increase (P less than 0.001) in the neutrophils and leukocytes count and a significant increase (P less than 0.05) in the levels of BUN, creatinine, glucose, ALP and chloride levels were observed. All the cases were treated with sulphadimidine at recommended dose with supportive therapy but no response was reported due to the fatal encephalitis.