Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
09:12
A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection
Published on: June 15, 2018
Hepatitis associated with Clostridium difficile in an ostrich chick
1California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, Fresno Beach, University of California at Davis, 93725, USA. hlshivaprasad@ucdavis.edu
Avian Pathology : Journal of the W.V.P.A
|May 15, 2003
Summary
Clostridium difficile infection caused fatal hepatitis in young ostriches, leading to significant chick mortality. This study highlights the bacterium as a cause of liver disease in farmed ostriches.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Avian Medicine
- Microbiology
Background:
- Ostrich farming faces challenges with chick mortality.
- Anorexia, diarrhea, and weight loss are common clinical signs in affected ostrich chicks.
- Antibiotic treatments are often administered to combat suspected bacterial infections.
Observation:
- A 19-day-old ostrich chick presented with clinical signs and was necropsied.
- Gross pathology revealed dehydration, ascites, serous atrophy of fat, and multifocal liver lesions.
- Histopathology showed multifocal hepatocyte necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration and gram-positive bacilli in the liver.
Findings:
- Clostridium difficile was isolated from the liver of the affected ostrich chick.
- Detection of Clostridium difficile toxin A confirmed active infection.
- A retrospective study identified Clostridium difficile as a cause of hepatitis in ostriches, alongside Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium sordelli.
Implications:
- Clostridium difficile should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatitis and mortality in ostrich chicks.
- Understanding the role of specific Clostridium species in ostrich diseases is crucial for effective flock management.
- Further research into the pathogenesis and control of Clostridium difficile in ostriches is warranted.
