Clostridial Diseases of Horses: A Review

Overview

Journal Vaccines (Basel)

Date 2022 Feb 26

PMID 35214776

Authors

Francisco A Uzal

Mauricio A Navarro

Javier Asin

Eileen E Henderson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The clostridial diseases of horses can be divided into three major groups: enteric/enterotoxic, histotoxic, and neurotoxic. The main enteric/enterotoxic diseases include those produced by type C and , both of which are characterized by enterocolitis. The main histotoxic diseases are gas gangrene, Tyzzer disease, and infectious necrotic hepatitis. Gas gangrene is produced by one or more of the following microorganisms: type A, , and type A, and it is characterized by necrotizing cellulitis and/or myositis. Tyzzer disease is produced by and is mainly characterized by multifocal necrotizing hepatitis. Infectious necrotic hepatitis is produced by type B and is characterized by focal necrotizing hepatitis. The main neurotoxic clostridial diseases are tetanus and botulism, which are produced by and , respectively. Tetanus is characterized by spastic paralysis and botulism by flaccid paralysis. Neither disease present with specific gross or microscopic lesions. The pathogenesis of clostridial diseases involves the production of toxins. Confirming a diagnosis of some of the clostridial diseases of horses is sometimes difficult, mainly because some agents can be present in tissues of normal animals. This paper reviews the main clostridial diseases of horses.

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