Environment, Incidence, Aetiology, Epizootiology and Immunoprophylaxis of Soil-borne Diseases in North-east Mexico

Abstract

Summary Within the framework of an extensive research programme, the socio‐economic and environmental conditions which influence the emergence of soil‐borne diseases in north‐eastern Mexico were analysed. Furthermore, specimens collected from carcasses in the field were bacteriologically examined and the causal organisms of soil‐borne diseases differentiated by means of gas chromatographic analysis of their metabolic products and the long‐chained fatty acids contained in the cell. With experimental clostridial vaccines prepared with the Goettingen Bioreactor Technique, trials to protect cattle and guinea‐pigs against gas gangrene were carried out. It was found that the farm structure and the dry climate as well as the specific soil conditions and plant cover favour the emergence of soil‐borne diseases. Causal organisms B. anthracis, C. perfringens, C. sordellii, C. haemolyticum, C. chauvoei/ septicum, C. novyi A, C. botulinum and site‐specific field strains of clostridia were detected. Experimental site‐specific vaccines proved to be highly efficient in protecting cattle and guinea‐pigs. Zusammenfassung Im Rahmen eines umfangreichen Forschungsprogramms wurden die die Entstehung von Bodenseuchen beeinflussenden sozioökonomischen und Umwéltbedingungen analysiert. Von Kadavern auf der Weide gesammelte Proben wurden bakteriologisch untersucht und die isolierten Erreger von Bodenseuchen mit Hilfe gaschromatographischer Analyse ihrer Metaboliten und der langkettigen, in der Zellwand enthaltenen Fettsäuren differenziert. Mit mittels der Göttinger Bioreaktor‐Technik hergestellten Vakzinen wurden Rinder und Meerschweinchen versuchsweise gegen Gasoedem schutzgeimpft. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß die Betriebsstruktur und das Trockenklima genauso wie die besonderen Bodenverhältnisse und Pflanzendecke das Zustandekommen von Bodenseuchen begünstigen. Als Erreger konnten B. anthracis, C. perfringens, C. sordellii, C. haemolyticum, C. chauvoei/ septicum, C. novyi A, C. botulinum und standortspezifische Feldstämme von Clostridien isoliert werden. Die experimentellen standortspezifischen Vakzinen erwiesen sich als hochwirksam bei der Verhütung von Gasoedem bei Rindern und Meerschweinchen.

Clostridial Diseases of Horses: A Review

“…Recently, a series of cases of gas gangrene produced by P. sordellii in horses was described [40]. Several of the agents responsible for gas gangrene are part of the intestinal microbiota of many animal species and can be found in the environment [49][50][51]. These clostridial species may be post-mortem invaders [52] or invade tissues during the last minutes of life [53]; therefore, caution should be taken when interpreting culture results of carcasses that are not very fresh.…”

Gas gangrene in mammals: a review

“…11,45 The occurrence of gas gangrene is dependent on close contact between the clostridial species involved and animals, typically contamination of wounds after vaccination, parturition, shearing, marking, neutering, docking, bleeding, and other traumatic interventions. 20,43,50,68 A lack of, or a suboptimal, vaccination program, idiopathic individual lack of immune response, or high challenge doses can also contribute to the occurrence of gas gangrene. 20,45 The disease generally occurs sporadically, but outbreaks have been reported in association with the injection of contaminated products or the use of contaminated needles.…”

“…42,62 Clostridial species are widespread, and their spores are extremely resistant to environmental conditions, therefore eradication of the disease is practically impossible. 68 Immunization of animals and strict hygienic measures are critical for the prevention of the disease. To mitigate contamination with clostridia, proper handling of carcasses and aseptic practices during procedures that generate wounds are required.…”

“…This, however, may just represent the capacity of this organism to overgrow other histotoxic clostridia when they act together, given that C. septicum grows very quic kly. 11,12,29,44,68 Nevertheless, several cases of gas gangrene in which only C. septicum was detected by fluorescent antibody (FA) testing or immunohistochemistry (IHC) seem to contradict the above statement. 61,62,78,81 FA testing and IHC provide a snapshot of the relative proportion of different clostridial species present in animal tissues and are not affected by the presence of other microorganisms.…”

Bacteriological Studies on Ana Erobic Bacteria Causing Hepatic Affections in Aged Buffaloes With Reference to Its Public Health Hazard

“…The presence of the organism in soil has made it as an important soil pathogen, especially for those species that cause infections. The ecological factors usually play a very important role in the development of clostridial soil borne diseases (Siefert et al, 1996). The clinical pictures of Cl.…”