- is an acute, infectious, toxemic disease with high mortality caused by Clostridium haemolyticum. It affects primarily cattle but has also been found in sheep and rarely in dogs, horses, pigs, elk; and possibly camelids.
- C haemolyticum (also called C novyi Type D) is a soilborne organism
- Bacillary hemoglobinuria is an acute toxemia caused by Clostridium haemolyticum, a soil-borne organism. After ingestion, spores remain in the liver until stimulated to germinate by conditions of anaerobiosis. Many affected cattle are found dead, with no premonitory signs. Port-wine–colored urine is the most prominent clinical sign. Early treatment with high-dose penicillin or tetracyclines is essential. Mortality in untreated animals is ~95%. Control is via vaccination with a C haemolyticum bacterin given once or twice yearly, depending on endemicity of the disease.
- When conditions for anaerobiosis are favorable, the spores germinate, and the resulting vegetative cells multiply and produce beta toxin (phospholipase C). This causes intravascular hemolysis, resulting in hemolytic anemia and hemoglobinuria.
Clinical signs
- Cattle may be found dead without premonitory clinical signs. Usually, there is a sudden onset of severe depression, fever, abdominal pain, dyspnea, severe diarrhea , and hemoglobinuria.
- Hgb and RBC levels are quite low. The duration of clinical signs varies from ~12 hours 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 are immune carriers.
Diagnosis and differentials
- Presumptive with clinical findings: port wine–colored urine; dark liquid feces
- Liver infarct at post-mortem, with diagnostic confirmation via PCR assay, IFAT, or other laboratory testing
Treatment and control
- Early treatment with penicillin or tetracyclines at high doses is essential. Whole blood transfusions and fluid therapy also are helpful early in the disease; however, the prognosis is guarded.
- Prevention involves vaccination of cattle and control of liver flukes.
Treatment and control
- Early treatment with penicillin or tetracyclines at high doses is essential. Whole blood transfusions and fluid therapy also are helpful early in the disease; however, the prognosis is guarded.
- Prevention involves vaccination of cattle and control of liver flukes.