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Clostridial diarrheas in piglets: A review.
Francisco A Uzal1, Mauricio A Navarro2, Javier Asin1
1California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, 105 W Central Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92408, USA.
Veterinary Microbiology
|March 4, 2023
Summary
Clostridium perfringens types C and A, and Clostridioides difficile cause neonatal piglet diarrhea. Diagnosis relies on toxin detection and clinical signs, though C. perfringens type A diagnosis remains challenging.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Microbiology
- Animal Pathology
Background:
- Clostridium perfringens type C and Clostridioides difficile are primary enteric pathogens in swine, causing neonatal diarrhea.
- The role of Clostridium perfringens type A in piglet enteric disease is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, pathology, and diagnosis of major clostridial enteric diseases in piglets.
- To clarify diagnostic challenges, particularly for Clostridium perfringens type A.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical data, clinical signs, gross lesions, and histological findings for presumptive diagnosis.
- Confirmation through detection of specific toxins (beta toxin for C. perfringens type C; toxin A/B for C. difficile) in intestinal contents or feces.
- Bacteriological isolation as a supportive, but not definitive, diagnostic measure.
Main Results:
- Clinical and pathological findings aid in presumptive diagnosis of C. perfringens type C and C. difficile infections.
- Toxin detection is crucial for confirming C. perfringens type C and C. difficile.
- Isolation of C. perfringens type C or C. difficile is suggestive but not conclusive due to potential presence in healthy animals.
Conclusions:
- Accurate diagnosis of neonatal clostridial enteric diseases in piglets requires integrating clinical, pathological, and microbiological data, with a focus on toxin identification.
- Diagnostic criteria for Clostridium perfringens type A-associated diarrhea require further refinement due to unclear roles of alpha and beta 2 toxins.
