Haemorhagic enterotoxemia by Clostridium perfringens type C and type A in silver foxes

Abstract

Type C and type A of C. perfringens were detected in the seat of natural infections in silver foxes characterized by symptoms of haemorrhagic enterotoxemia. In all of the dead foxes characteristic changes were noted in the small intestine and parenchymatous organs. The production of alpha and beta toxins by isolated bacteria was confirmed by the bioassay using white mice and by PCR. The results of the drug sensitivity testing showed that isolated strains were highly susceptible to amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, metronidazole, doxycycline and penicillin with streptomycin.

Occurrence of Clostridium perfringens in Wild Mammals in the Amazon Biome

“…Despite the importance of C. perfringens as an enteropathogen in domestic animals and humans, the actual role of type A in diarrhoeal diseases remains uncertain in several wild species due to the absence of a marker that allows for the differentiation of C. perfringens when it is present as an enteropathogen or as a commensal [15,17,18]. Nevertheless, there are reports suggesting that type A is the cause of lethal haemorrhagic enteritis in several species, such as Panthera tigris altaica (Siberian tiger), Panthera leo (lion) [10], Vulpes vulpes (red fox) [22], Loxodonta africana (elephant) [23], Selenarctos thibetanus (Asian black bear) [24] and Papio hamadryas (hamadryas baboon) [25]. Previous studies have suggested that factors other than the toxinotype may be associated with the occurrence of enteric disease caused by C. perfringens type A in animals and humans, such as stress, dysregulation of the intestinal microbiota, and parasitic and viral infections [5,18,22,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30].…”

“…Nevertheless, there are reports suggesting that type A is the cause of lethal haemorrhagic enteritis in several species, such as Panthera tigris altaica (Siberian tiger), Panthera leo (lion) [10], Vulpes vulpes (red fox) [22], Loxodonta africana (elephant) [23], Selenarctos thibetanus (Asian black bear) [24] and Papio hamadryas (hamadryas baboon) [25]. Previous studies have suggested that factors other than the toxinotype may be associated with the occurrence of enteric disease caused by C. perfringens type A in animals and humans, such as stress, dysregulation of the intestinal microbiota, and parasitic and viral infections [5,18,22,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30].…”

Occurrence of Clostridium perfringens in Wild Mammals in the Amazon Biome

“…Despite the importance of C. perfringens as an enteropathogen in domestic animals and humans, the actual role of type A in diarrhoeal diseases remains uncertain in several wild species due to the absence of a marker that allows for the differentiation of C. perfringens when it is present as an enteropathogen or as a commensal [13,15]. Nevertheless, there are reports suggesting that type A is the cause of lethal haemorrhagic enteritis in several species, such as Panthera tigris altaica (Siberian tiger), Panthera leo (lion) [8], Vulpes vulpes (red fox) [18], Loxodonta africana (elephant) [19], Selenarctos thibetanus (Asian black bear) [20] and Papio hamadryas (hamadryas baboon) [21]. Previous studies have suggested that factors other than the toxinotype may be associated with the occurrence of enteric disease caused by C. perfringens type A in animals and humans, such as stress, the dysregulation of the intestinal microbiota, and parasitic and viral infections [5,15,18,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28].…”

“…Nevertheless, there are reports suggesting that type A is the cause of lethal haemorrhagic enteritis in several species, such as Panthera tigris altaica (Siberian tiger), Panthera leo (lion) [8], Vulpes vulpes (red fox) [18], Loxodonta africana (elephant) [19], Selenarctos thibetanus (Asian black bear) [20] and Papio hamadryas (hamadryas baboon) [21]. Previous studies have suggested that factors other than the toxinotype may be associated with the occurrence of enteric disease caused by C. perfringens type A in animals and humans, such as stress, the dysregulation of the intestinal microbiota, and parasitic and viral infections [5,15,18,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. In other words, C. perfringens type A is a facultative bacterium, meaning it is primarily commensal but can cause disease if the gut environment is disturbed or the host is stressed or otherwise immunocompromised.…”