AUTHOR=Hussain Riaz , Guangbin Zhang , Abbas Rao Zahid , Siddique Abu Baker , Mohiuddin Mudassar , Khan Iahtasham , Rehman Tauseef Ur , Khan Ahrar 

TITLE=Clostridium perfringens Types A and D Involved in Peracute Deaths in Goats Kept in Cholistan Ecosystem During Winter Season

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2022.849856

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2022.849856

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>Enterotoxemia is a severe and peracute disease caused by <italic>Clostridium perfringens</italic> (<italic>C. perfringens</italic>) rendering high mortality leading to huge economic losses, especially in small ruminants. The bacterium induces peracute death in animals based on the rapid production of different lethal toxins. Mortality occurred three private herds of two breeds, i.e., Makhi Cheeni and Beetal, and one non-descriptive (Teddy) herds reared in the desert area of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. At necropsy, tissue samples for histopathology and intestinal contents for bacterial isolation and culture were collected. Following the standard procedure, tissue slides were prepared. Multiplex PCR was used to identify toxinotypes using specific primers. Morbidity, mortality, and case fatality in Makhi Cheeni, Beetal, and Teddy goats caused by enterotoxemia were 87.58, 75.81, and 76.11%, respectively. Based on toxinotypes in the present outbreaks, <italic>C. perfringens</italic> type A (<italic>cp</italic>α = 20.7%; <italic>cp</italic>α + <italic>cp</italic>β2 = 11.2%) and <italic>C. perfringens</italic> type D (<italic>cp</italic>α + <italic>cp</italic>β2 + <italic>etx</italic> = 47.7%; <italic>cp</italic>α + <italic>etx</italic> = 20.7%) were detected. Deaths due to <italic>C. perfringens</italic> type D (68.10%) were significantly higher (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001) compared with deaths by <italic>C. perfringens</italic> type A (34.90%). Petechiation of serosal surfaces, hemorrhage of intestines, lungs, and liver were seen. Kidneys were soft, and under the microscope, tubules were studded with erythrocytes. There was stunting and fusion in the intestinal villi. From this study, we concluded that endotoxemia can occur in any season; thus, a proper vaccination schedule must be followed for the protection of small ruminants' health.</p>