Pathomorphological and Etiological Studies in a Clinical Case of Necrohemorrhagic Enteritis in Buffaloes

Abstract

Clostridia are obligate anaerobic, spore–forming Gram–positive bacteria. Clostridium perfringens type A has been implicated as the most common etiologic agent causing enteritis, abomasitis, and enterotoxemia in large ruminants. Necrohemorrhagic enteritis in large ruminants caused by C. perfringens type A is characterized by sudden death, sometimes without clinical manifestation. Clinical signs occur with initial depression, dyspnea, pyrexia, bloody diarrhea, anemia or jaundice of mucous membranes, abdominal pain, and hemoglobinuria. The present report describes a clinical case of necrohemorrhagic enteritis in young buffaloes, which occurred with 30% morbidity and 100% mortality in a private buffalo farm in Northern Bulgaria. Pathological, antigenic, histopathological and microbiological studies were performed to diagnose the disease. The described macro– and microlesional changes in the affected organs and systems could be used in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases in large ruminants.