Emergence of suspected type D botulism in ruminants in England and Wales (2001 to 2009), associated with exposure to broiler litter

Abstract

Scanning surveillance by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency revealed the emergence of suspected botulism in ruminants in 2003, presented as flaccid paralysis. From 2003 to 2009, 168 cattle and 19 sheep incidents were recorded, with mortality between 5 and 80 per cent. All sheep incidents and 95 per cent of cattle incidents had proximity to broiler litter. From July 2006, the gut contents collected from 74 affected cattle and 10 affected sheep were tested for Clostridium botulinum toxins using mice bioassays and for organisms by culture. Type D toxin was identified in 32 per cent of cattle and 18 per cent of sheep samples. C botulinum type D organisms were identified in 40 per cent of cattle and 30 per cent of sheep samples, but broth from one sample reacted with C and D antisera. Type C botulism has previously been reported more commonly than type D in the UK and has been associated with the use of poultry litter as fertiliser, bedding or feed. The almost exclusive association with C botulinum type D toxins or organisms in the gut contents in this survey suggests a change in the source or epidemiology of botulism in the UK. The source of C botulinum type D was uncertain. Broilers may carry C botulinum type D in their gut flora subclinically. The emergence of a new type D strain, or changes in broiler husbandry and nutrition, medication and other enteric infections may have affected colonisation with C botulinum. Further investigation of poultry and farm environments for sources of type D awaits the development of tests for C botulinum toxins that do not require the use of mice.

Management of Animal Botulism Outbreaks: From Clinical Suspicion to Practical Countermeasures to Prevent or Minimize Outbreaks

“…30 There is also some evidence that exposure to poultry litter as feed or bedding may constitute a risk factor in the occurrence of cattle botulism. [31][32][33] Typically, type C and D toxins are associated with carrion of birds or small animals that have contaminated water, feed, or the environment, while noncarrion-associated botulism is caused by type A and B toxins. 4,[33][34][35] A second form of animal botulism is associated with the absorption of BoNTs produced in vivo in the intestinal tract.…”

Acute Type C Botulism with Fatal Consequences in a Holstein Breeding Establishment in Northern Italy

“…Botulism outbreaks caused by indirect or direct contamination of feed by poultry litter had already been presumed and described by several authors [8,13,15,16,26,27]. Other authors have described type C botulism in cattle that had been fed ensiled poultry litter as an additive, or cases where the animals had free access to poultry litter [28][29][30].…”

“…The manure from the various animals is mixed together and used as fertiliser on the pastures and fields. The carcasses of dead hens are also not infrequently thrown onto the dung heap to rot, further increasing the risk of contamination [8,27]. On the other hand, the cut grass is in many places only dried for a short time and then immediately ensiled due to the unstable weather prevailing in the Alps.…”

Botulism

“…La vía de contaminación más frecuente es el consumo de alimentos (carne en descomposición, carcasas, conservas en mal estado) o pastos contaminados con la neurotoxina ya producida; es la principal fuente de intoxicación en los animales domésticos 68,70 . La tasa de mortalidad general es de 5-10% 69 , y puede llegar hasta el 80% en los rumiantes 73 . El botulismo por colonización intestinal se produce por la ingestión de esporas, seguida por la germinación y producción intraluminal de neurotoxina, que posteriormente es absorbida.…”

“…Se observa principalmente en equinos, rumiantes y aves domésticas; en los perros y otros carnívoros es menos frecuente 13,33,53,73,88,99 . En los animales domésticos el botulismo fue reconocido hace aproximadamente 50 años 8 .…”