Special Veterinary Pathology

BOVINE BACILLARY HAEMOGLOBINURIA

Synonym: Red water disease, infectious icterohaemoglobinuria

Definition

• It is a disease with high mortality characterized by fever, anaemia, haemoglobinuria with necrosis of liver caused by Clostridium haemolyticum

Aetiology

• Clostridium haemolyticum

Incidence

• First described in California in 1916, the disease mainly occurs in the United States
• Reported from other countries and also from Europe

Susceptibility

• Cattle – Mostly susceptible
• Sheep and swine- Very rare
• Swamply and low lying areas are endemic

Transmission

• Ingestion is by ingestion of contaminated feed and water

Pathogenesis

• The organisms in the soil are ingested by the host, reach liver through blood and is activated by hepatic damage such as migration of liver flukes
• Beta toxin (Exotoxin) released further damages the liver causing necrotic infarcts
• Toxins - Necrotizing and Haemolysing type

Clinical signs

• Sudden onset, fever, anaemia (intravascular haemolysis- Red blood cells -Low 1millions/cmm; haemoglobin- 3g/dL), leucocytosis, collapse and death
• Pregnant – Abortion

Gross lesions

• Focal necrotic infarcts in the liver, soft, enlarged and friable
• Kidneys – Swollen and petechiae in the cortex
• Urine – deep red in colour
• Death due to toxaemia and acute anaemia

Microscopic lesions

• Tissue sections: Gram positive bacilli surrounded by neutrophils

Diagnosis

• Clinical signs and lesion
• Isolation of the organism