Enterotoxaemia‐like syndrome and <i>Clostridium perfringens</i> in veal calves

Muylaert, Adeline; Lebrun, Marielle; Duprez, Jean-Noël; Labrozzo, Sabrina; Theys, H.; Taminiau, Bernard; Mainil, Jacques

doi:10.1136/vr.b4869

Cited by 18 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…In contrast to ruminal disorders, enterotoxaemia almost exclusively occurred in Belgian Blue veal calves. The causative agent is Clostridium perfringens, but the identity of the toxin and the exact pathogenesis are still unclear [59,60]. Also Belgian Blue suckler calves are highly susceptible for enterotoxaemia, and it is unclear whether there is a breed predisposition or whether dietary differences between the studied production systems are the cause [61].…”

Section: Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal study on morbidity and mortality in white veal calves in Belgium

Bleecker²,

et al. 2012

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BackgroundMortality and morbidity are hardly documented in the white veal industry, despite high levels of antimicrobial drug use and resistance. The objective of the present study was to determine the causes and epidemiology of morbidity and mortality in dairy, beef and crossbred white veal production. A total of 5853 calves, housed in 15 production cohorts, were followed during one production cycle. Causes of mortality were determined by necropsy. Morbidity was daily recorded by the producers.ResultsThe total mortality risk was 5,3% and was significantly higher in beef veal production compared to dairy or crossbreds. The main causes of mortality were pneumonia (1.3% of the calves at risk), ruminal disorders (0.7%), idiopathic peritonitis (0.5%), enterotoxaemia (0.5%) and enteritis (0.4%). Belgian Blue beef calves were more likely to die from pneumonia, enterotoxaemia and arthritis. Detection of bovine viral diarrhea virus at necropsy was associated with chronic pneumonia and pleuritis. Of the calves, 25.4% was treated individually and the morbidity rate was 1.66 cases per 1000 calf days at risk. The incidence rate of respiratory disease, diarrhea, arthritis and otitis was 0.95, 0.30, 0.11 and 0.07 cases per 1000 calf days at risk respectively. Morbidity peaked in the first three weeks after arrival and gradually declined towards the end of the production cycle.ConclusionsThe present study provided insights into the causes and epidemiology of morbidity and mortality in white veal calves in Belgium, housed in the most frequent housing system in Europe. The necropsy findings, identified risk periods and differences between production systems can guide both veterinarians and producers towards the most profitable and ethical preventive and therapeutic protocols.

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Section: Diseasementioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal study on morbidity and mortality in white veal calves in Belgium

Bleecker²,

et al. 2012

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“…Enterotoxemia (hemorrhagic enteritis) is a highly fatal disease in cattle, caused by Clostridium perfringens. The disease predominantly affects calves in intensive production systems, such as the veal industry or feedlots (Griner and Bracken, 1953;Niilo et al, 1974, Glock andDegroot, 1998;Muylaert et al, 2010). In Belgian blue veal calves, enterotoxemia accounts for 20% of the total mortality rate (5-7%) and occurs predominantly at the end of the production cycle when animals have a high economic value (Pardon et al, 2012).…”

Section: Short Communicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Het geven van vaste voeding aan witvleeskalveren vermindert de uitscheiding van clostridia in de mest

Valgaeren¹,

Hanssens²,

Roelandt³

et al. 2016

Vlaams Diergeneeskundig Tijdschrift

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Enterotoxemia is characterized by a highly fatal hemorrhagic enteritis in cattle, caused by Clostridium perfringens. Production systems with intensive feeding, such as the veal industry, are predisposed. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of solid feed provision on fecal C. perfringens excretion in veal calves. Ten Holstein Friesian bull veal calves were randomly assigned to one of two test diets. Group 1 received solemnly milk replacer twice daily, while group 2 received milk replacer and a maximum of 300g solid feed/day, consisting of a mixture of 30% barley, 30% corn, 30% hulled wheat and 10% chopped straw. The number of C. perfringens per g feces or fecal clostridial counts (FCC) were determined for all calves. Mean FCC were significantly lower in the calves fed milk replacer and solid feed, than in the calves fed solemnly milk replacer. Although the correlation between FCC and enterotoxemia risk remains to be determined, the provision of solid feed to veal calves reduced clostridial excretion, which might contribute to the prevention of this disease.

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“…Bovine enterotoxemia caused by Clostridium perfringens , is a sudden death syndrome with necro-hemorrhagic lesions in the small intestine, which mainly affects suckling calves and veal calves [1,2]. In veal calves, predominantly beef cattle breeds are affected.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clostridium perfringens strains from bovine enterotoxemia cases are not superior in in vitroproduction of alpha toxin, perfringolysin O and proteolytic enzymes

et al. 2014

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BackgroundBovine enterotoxemia is a major cause of mortality in veal calves. Predominantly veal calves of beef cattle breeds are affected and losses due to enterotoxemia may account for up to 20% of total mortality. Clostridium perfringens type A is considered to be the causative agent. Recently, alpha toxin and perfringolysin O have been proposed to play an essential role in the development of disease. However, other potential virulence factors also may play a role in the pathogenesis of bovine enterotoxemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether strains originating from bovine enterotoxemia cases were superior in in vitro production of virulence factors (alpha toxin, perfringolysin O, mucinase, collagenase) that are potentially involved in enterotoxemia. To approach this, a collection of strains originating from enterotoxemia cases was compared to bovine strains isolated from healthy animals and to strains isolated from other animal species.ResultsStrains originating from bovine enterotoxemia cases produced variable levels of alpha toxin and perfringolysin O that were not significantly different from levels produced by strains isolated from healthy calves and other animal species. All tested strains exhibited similar mucinolytic activity independent of the isolation source. A high variability in collagenase activity between strains could be observed, and no higher collagenase levels were produced in vitro by strains isolated from enterotoxemia cases.ConclusionsBovine enterotoxemia strains do not produce higher levels of alpha toxin, perfringolysin O, mucinase and collagenase, as compared to strains derived from healthy calves and other animal species in vitro.

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Enterotoxaemia‐like syndrome and Clostridium perfringens in veal calves

Cited by 18 publications

References 22 publications

Longitudinal study on morbidity and mortality in white veal calves in Belgium

Longitudinal study on morbidity and mortality in white veal calves in Belgium

Het geven van vaste voeding aan witvleeskalveren vermindert de uitscheiding van clostridia in de mest

Clostridium perfringens strains from bovine enterotoxemia cases are not superior in in vitroproduction of alpha toxin, perfringolysin O and proteolytic enzymes

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