Esmaeili H, Joghataei S M
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Arch Razi Inst. 2024 Dec 31;79(6):1381-1386. doi: 10.32592/ARI.2024.79.6.1381. eCollection 2024 Dec.
Enterotoxemia, also referred to as "Overeating disease" or "Pulpy kidney," is a condition caused by Clostridium perfringens type D. This condition poses significant economic challenges to the goat industry. The objective of the present report was to document a previously unreported necropsy finding, namely Neck Muscle Hemorrhage, observed in a deceased Alpine kid affected by enterotoxemia. The case in question involved a three-month-old Alpine kid that exhibited clinical signs indicative of acute enterotoxemia. A postmortem examination was promptly conducted to ascertain the underlying cause of death. Aseptic sampling of the small intestine, specifically the ileum contents, was performed during the postmortem examination. The samples were then examined bacteriologically. Additionally, a commercial enterotoxemia ELISA kit was utilized to identify the enterotoxins produced by C. perfringens, including Alpha, Beta, and Epsilon toxins, and to confirm the presence of bacteria in the obtained samples. During the postmortem examination, no overt external lesions were observed. However, necropsy revealed several remarkable gross lesions, including hemorrhage and hyperemia of the colonic mucosa and small intestine, pulmonary edema, hemothorax, hydropericardium, and neck muscle hemorrhage. The bacteriological investigation and ELISA assay results indicated the presence of alpha and epsilon enterotoxins in the intestinal contents, thereby confirming the detection of C. perfringens type D bacteria. Collectively, these findings provide substantial evidence that strongly links the observed lesions to enterotoxemia caused by C. perfringens type D infection in the examined alpine kids. Notably, the investigation identified a peculiar gross lesion-namely, hemorrhagic necrotizing lesions in the neck muscle-that has not been previously reported in goats and which is associated with enterotoxemia. The recognition of this distinctive lesion underscores its significance as a noteworthy manifestation of enterotoxemia in goats. The documentation of this lesion provides clinicians with valuable guidance during necropsy examinations, aiding in the recognition and diagnosis of cases of enterotoxaemia.
肠毒血症，也被称为“过食症”或“软肾病”，是由D型产气荚膜梭菌引起的一种病症。这种病症给山羊产业带来了重大的经济挑战。本报告的目的是记录在一只死于肠毒血症的阿尔卑斯山羊幼崽中观察到的一项此前未报告的尸检结果，即颈部肌肉出血。该病例涉及一只三个月大的阿尔卑斯山羊幼崽，它表现出急性肠毒血症的临床症状。随即进行了尸检以确定死亡的根本原因。在尸检过程中对小肠，特别是回肠内容物进行了无菌采样。然后对样本进行细菌学检查。此外，还使用了一种商业性肠毒血症酶联免疫吸附测定试剂盒来鉴定产气荚膜梭菌产生的肠毒素，包括α、β和ε毒素，并确认所获样本中细菌的存在。在尸检过程中，未观察到明显的外部病变。然而，尸检发现了几个显著的大体病变，包括结肠黏膜和小肠的出血和充血、肺水肿、血胸、心包积水以及颈部肌肉出血。细菌学调查和酶联免疫吸附测定结果表明肠内容物中存在α和ε肠毒素，从而证实检测到了D型产气荚膜梭菌。总体而言，这些发现提供了充分的证据，有力地将观察到的病变与所检查的阿尔卑斯山羊幼崽中由D型产气荚膜梭菌感染引起的肠毒血症联系起来。值得注意的是，该调查发现了一个特殊的大体病变，即颈部肌肉的出血性坏死病变，这在山羊中此前尚未有过报道，且与肠毒血症有关。对这一独特病变的识别凸显了其作为山羊肠毒血症一个值得关注的表现形式的重要性。该病变的记录为临床医生在尸检过程中提供了有价值的指导，有助于识别和诊断肠毒血症病例。
