Blackleg, black quarter, quarter evil, or quarter ill (Latin: gangraena emphysematosa) is an infectiousbacterialdisease most commonly caused by Clostridium chauvoei, a Gram-positive bacterial species. It is seen in livestock all over the world, usually affecting cattle, sheep, and goats. It has been seen occasionally in farmed bison and deer.[1] The acute nature of the disease makes successful treatment difficult, and the efficacy of the commonly used vaccine is disputed.[2]
Early signs: swelling of the thigh, with leg up and tail raised (arrows)Recovered calf after removing of all necrotic tissue
Most losses due to blackleg occur when the cattle are between the ages of six months and two years, although it can occur when they are as young as two months. Typically, cattle that have a high feed intake and are well-conditioned tend to be the most susceptible to blackleg. Furthermore, many blackleg cases occur during the hot and humid summer months or after a sudden cold period, but cases can occur at any time during the year.[3]
Causative agentedit
Blackleg is caused by infection with Clostridium bacteria. The most common causative agent is C. chauvoei, but the disease can also be caused by C. septicum, C. sordelli, and C. novyi.[4][5] C. chauvoei is Gram-positive, rod-shaped, anaerobic, and motile, and can produce environmentally persistent spores when conditions are not ideal for growth. These spores can remain in the soil for years in an inactive state, and return to their infectious form when consumed by grazing livestock. Contaminated pasture is a predominant source of these organisms, which are also found naturally in the intestines of animals.[6] Cases can occur over many years in areas where soil or manure is contaminated with the bacteria, and it is exceedingly difficult to remove the spores from the environment.
C. chauvoei can produce a large amount of gas as a metabolic byproduct when growing and reproducing, hence the alternate name gas gangrene, present in humans.[7] This gas builds up in infected tissue, usually large muscles, and causes the tissue to make a crackling or popping sound when pressed. Large gas-filled blisters can also form, which can be extremely painful as they build up in the tissues.[citation needed]
Clinical presentationsedit
When infection begins, the animal may develop a fever, and the affected limb can feel hot to the touch. The limb usually swells significantly, and the animal can develop lameness on the affected leg. Crepitation (the sensation of air under the skin) can be noticed in many infections, as the area seems to crackle under pressure.[8]
Once clinical signs develop, the animal may only live a short while, sometimes as few as 12 hours. Occasionally, cattle succumb to the disease without showing any symptoms, and only a necropsy reveals the cause. During a necropsy, a diagnosis is usually made very quickly, as the affected muscle is usually mottled with black patches, which are dead tissue, killed by the toxins the bacteria release when they infect live tissue. If viewed under a microscope, small rod-like bacteria can be seen to confirm the diagnosis.[citation needed]
Vaccination and preventionedit
The use of a seven-way clostridial vaccination is the most common and cost effective preventative measure taken against blackleg,[5] but its efficacy is disputed.[2] Burning the upper layer of soil to eradicate left-over spores is the best way to stop the spread of blackleg from diseased cattle. Diseased cattle should be isolated. Treatment is generally unrewarding due to the rapid progression of the disease, but penicillin is the drug of choice for treatment. Treatment is only effective in the early stages and as a control measure.[citation needed]
^MacKintosh, C; Haigh, J. C; Griffin, F (2002). "Bacterial diseases of farmed deer and bison". Revue Scientifique et Technique. 21 (2): 249–63. doi:10.20506/rst.21.2.1341. PMID 11974613.
^ abUzal, Francisco A (2012). "Evidence-Based Medicine Concerning Efficacy of Vaccination Against Clostridium chauvoei Infection in Cattle". Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice. 28 (1): 71–7, viii. doi:10.1016/j.cvfa.2011.12.006. PMID 22374118.
^Sarah Robson; J. M. Wilson. "Blackleg in Cattle". 5m Publishing. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
^Nagano, N; Isomine, S; Kato, H; Sasaki, Y; Takahashi, M; Sakaida, K; Nagano, Y; Arakawa, Y (2008). "Human Fulminant Gas Gangrene Caused by Clostridium chauvoei". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 46 (4): 1545–7. doi:10.1128/JCM.01895-07. PMC2292918. PMID 18256217.
^Irsik, M.B. Blackleg in cattle. University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Available from http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/vm120 2012-02-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Blackleg (disease).
February 15, 2024
blackleg, disease, this, article, about, animal, disease, other, uses, blackleg, disambiguation, blackleg, black, quarter, quarter, evil, quarter, latin, gangraena, emphysematosa, infectious, bacterial, disease, most, commonly, caused, clostridium, chauvoei, g. This article is about the animal disease For other uses see Blackleg disambiguation Blackleg black quarter quarter evil or quarter ill Latin gangraena emphysematosa is an infectious bacterial disease most commonly caused by Clostridium chauvoei a Gram positive bacterial species It is seen in livestock all over the world usually affecting cattle sheep and goats It has been seen occasionally in farmed bison and deer 1 The acute nature of the disease makes successful treatment difficult and the efficacy of the commonly used vaccine is disputed 2 Early signs swelling of the thigh with leg up and tail raised arrows Recovered calf after removing of all necrotic tissue Contents 1 Susceptibility 2 Causative agent 3 Clinical presentations 4 Vaccination and prevention 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksSusceptibility editMost losses due to blackleg occur when the cattle are between the ages of six months and two years although it can occur when they are as young as two months Typically cattle that have a high feed intake and are well conditioned tend to be the most susceptible to blackleg Furthermore many blackleg cases occur during the hot and humid summer months or after a sudden cold period but cases can occur at any time during the year 3 Causative agent editBlackleg is caused by infection with Clostridium bacteria The most common causative agent is C chauvoei but the disease can also be caused by C septicum C sordelli and C novyi 4 5 C chauvoei is Gram positive rod shaped anaerobic and motile and can produce environmentally persistent spores when conditions are not ideal for growth These spores can remain in the soil for years in an inactive state and return to their infectious form when consumed by grazing livestock Contaminated pasture is a predominant source of these organisms which are also found naturally in the intestines of animals 6 Cases can occur over many years in areas where soil or manure is contaminated with the bacteria and it is exceedingly difficult to remove the spores from the environment C chauvoei can produce a large amount of gas as a metabolic byproduct when growing and reproducing hence the alternate name gas gangrene present in humans 7 This gas builds up in infected tissue usually large muscles and causes the tissue to make a crackling or popping sound when pressed Large gas filled blisters can also form which can be extremely painful as they build up in the tissues citation needed Clinical presentations editWhen infection begins the animal may develop a fever and the affected limb can feel hot to the touch The limb usually swells significantly and the animal can develop lameness on the affected leg Crepitation the sensation of air under the skin can be noticed in many infections as the area seems to crackle under pressure 8 Once clinical signs develop the animal may only live a short while sometimes as few as 12 hours Occasionally cattle succumb to the disease without showing any symptoms and only a necropsy reveals the cause During a necropsy a diagnosis is usually made very quickly as the affected muscle is usually mottled with black patches which are dead tissue killed by the toxins the bacteria release when they infect live tissue If viewed under a microscope small rod like bacteria can be seen to confirm the diagnosis citation needed Vaccination and prevention editThe use of a seven way clostridial vaccination is the most common and cost effective preventative measure taken against blackleg 5 but its efficacy is disputed 2 Burning the upper layer of soil to eradicate left over spores is the best way to stop the spread of blackleg from diseased cattle Diseased cattle should be isolated Treatment is generally unrewarding due to the rapid progression of the disease but penicillin is the drug of choice for treatment Treatment is only effective in the early stages and as a control measure citation needed See also editGas gangrene Clostridium vaccine Blackleg potatoes References edit MacKintosh C Haigh J C Griffin F 2002 Bacterial diseases of farmed deer and bison Revue Scientifique et Technique 21 2 249 63 doi 10 20506 rst 21 2 1341 PMID 11974613 a b Uzal Francisco A 2012 Evidence Based Medicine Concerning Efficacy of Vaccination Against Clostridium chauvoei Infection in Cattle Veterinary Clinics of North America Food Animal Practice 28 1 71 7 viii doi 10 1016 j cvfa 2011 12 006 PMID 22374118 Sarah Robson J M Wilson Blackleg in Cattle 5m Publishing Retrieved 18 February 2013 https www zoetis com au locale assets faq faqs blackleg pdf full citation needed a b http ucanr edu sites UCCE LR files 152026 pdf full citation needed Clostridial diseases Blackleg The Merck Veterinary Manual Available from http www merckvetmanual com mvm index jsp cfile htm bc 50704 htm Retrieved 2012 03 20 Nagano N Isomine S Kato H Sasaki Y Takahashi M Sakaida K Nagano Y Arakawa Y 2008 Human Fulminant Gas Gangrene Caused by Clostridium chauvoei Journal of Clinical Microbiology 46 4 1545 7 doi 10 1128 JCM 01895 07 PMC 2292918 PMID 18256217 Irsik M B Blackleg in cattle University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Available from http edis ifas ufl edu vm120 Archived 2012 02 07 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2012 03 22 External links editBlackleg and Other Clostridial Diseases nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Blackleg disease Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Blackleg disease amp oldid 1171069397, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
