Bovine Clostridia

The genus Clostridia comprises a variety of bacterial species that cause disease and death in cattle and sheep. From an animal agricultural perspective, the most important aspect of pathogenic Clostridia is their ability to produce toxins. All Clostridia produce toxins, biologically active proteins that are antigenic in nature. Toxins of different organisms vary in their effects and the manner in which they invade an animal.

Most Clostridia are anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria grow in the absence of oxygen but the vegetative form of Clostridia has the ability to produce spores. Clostridia spores survive even difficult environmental conditions. Clostridia spores are commonly found in soil and are ingested preformed in animal feed. Other species are present in the gut of humans and animals and are absorbed from the gut following a rapid growth in organism numbers.

The effect of the clostridial toxins can be observed at the location of toxin production. The toxins can also be disseminated throughout the body via the vascular and lymphatic system.

Clostridial Diseases in Bovine Grouped by Mode of Action

Mode of Action		Clostridium species		Disease
Toxins are produced outside of the animal and are ingested preformed in feed.		Clostridium botulinum		Botulism
Clostridia enter the organism through wounds of the skin, damaged mucosal surfaces, or galactogenically. The bacteria can remain at the site of entrance or can be disseminated via the vascular system. Produced toxins act locally and systemically.		Clostridium chauvoei		Blackleg, gas edema
		Clostridium sordellii Clostridium septicum Clostridium perfringens Clostridium novyi Clostridium chauvoei		False blackleg, malignent edema
		Clostridium tetani		Tetanus
		Clostridiums perfringens Type A		Clostridial mastitis
Clostridia located in the gut produce toxins that damage the host locally and/or systemically.		Clostridium perfringens Type B Clostridium perfringens Type C Clostridium perfringens Type D		Enterotoxemia in calves
		Clostridium perfringens Type A		Bovine enterotoxemia

More Clostridial Information

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