This disease page is currently being used in Wildpro to link different data types and demonstrate inter-relationships. Whilst basic information is available, it does not contain comprehensive information.

• Malignant oedema
• Blackleg

• Clostridium septicum. (J3.88.w2)

• Clostridium (Bacteria Genera)

• Clostridium septicum infection causes acute and fatal toxaemia in cattle, horses, sheep and goats. Infection occurs by bacterial contamination of wounds. Affected animals show pyrexia, swelling and subcutaneous oedema of the localised body lesions. (B101)
• Blackleg in cattle and sheep, caused by Clostridium chauvoei, is very similar. (B101)
• Both Clostridium chauvoei and Clostridium septicum have been found in cases of blackleg in cattle. (J3.88.w2)
• Clostridium septicum in juvenile ruminants may cause necrotising abomasitis. The pathogenesis is similar to other clostridial enteric diseases. (B336.72.w72)

In Elephants:

Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant

• A case of Clostridium septicum infection and death was recorded in an adult female Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant. (J3.88.w2)
• A case of malignant oedema was recorded in a 50-year-old Asian elephant "contracted on a pasture contaminated by cattle." (B214.3.7.w3)

Clinical signs:

• In an adult male elephant:
  • Anorexia and sudden collapse, apparent exhaustion the following day, on the third day collapse and a few hours later death. (B214.3.7.w3)
• In an adult female elephant
  • Initial anorexia, later also depression and reluctance to move. (J3.88.w2)
  • Excess mucus in faeces. (J3.88.w2)
  • Shoulder injury after falling two days before death. (J3.88.w2)
  • Falling followed by inability to get up on the day of death. (J3.88.w2)
  • The elephant died approximately 52 hours after the first signs of illness. (J3.88.w2)

Incubation:

• The elephant had been grazing in a new area for eight days. (J3.88.w2)

Diagnosis/ Investigations:

• No abnormalities were noted on initial examination of a faecal sample from the ill elephant, except for the presence of excess mucus. (J3.88.w2)
• Initial diagnosis was made on the basis of the gross necropsy findings, which were considered typical for blackleg in cattle. Clostridium septicum was isolated in pure culture from the sero-haemorrhagic fluid taken from the injured shoulder. (J3.88.w2)
  • Identified using fluorescent antibodies and cultural biochemistry. (J3.88.w2)

Gross pathology:

• Mouth:
  • Blood vessels of the mucous membranes injected. (J3.88.w2)
• Ocular:
  • Conjunctiva: blood vessels injected. (J3.88.w2)
• Musculo-skeletal:
  • The right fore limb was swollen and crepitous from the shoulder to the carpal region. (J3.88.w2)
  • No penetrating wounds were found and the skin was not discoloured. (J3.88.w2)
  • On incision, the affected triceps muscle area was found to contain sero-haemorrhagic fluid and gas escaped from the emphysematous tissues. (J3.88.w2)
• Gastro-intestinal:
  • The stomach wall was thickened, oedematous and inflamed; haemorrhagic mucus was found in the stomach. (J3.88.w2)
  • The small and large intestines were inflamed, thickened and oedematous. (J3.88.w2)
  • The large intestine contained a small quantity of mucoid, very fluid faecal material. (J3.88.w2)
  • Dark, bloody discharge from the anus. (J3.88.w2)
• Spleen:
  • Very distended, with semi-fluid, dark contents. (J3.88.w2)

Preventive measures:

• Vaccination is recommended in areas where the infection is endemic. (D301.3.w3)

• History & Documentation
• Physical Examination of Mammals
• Environmental Assessment
• Treatment and Care - General
• Necropsy of Mammals
• Chapter 2 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen Collection and Preservation
• Chapter 3 - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Specimen shipment
• Appendix A - B36 Field Manual of Wildlife Diseases - Sample specimen history form
• Medicating Elephants

• Elephants (Elephantidae - Elephants (Family))
• Elephas maximus - Asian Elephant

(List does not contain all other species groups affected by this disease)