Gas gangrene caused by Clostridium chauvoei in suckling piglets

Clostridium chauvoei is an anaerobic bacterium, widespread in the environment, and one of the causes of gas gangrene in animals. We describe an outbreak of gas gangrene in 1- to 3-day-old suckling piglets in a commercial farrowing farm caused by C. chauvoei. Twenty-five litters were affected, resulting in 30 deaths and a ~1% increase in preweaning mortality. Affected piglets had lethargy; fever; anorexia; and purple discoloration of the abdomen, head, and limbs. Without intervention, the disease progressed to death or required euthanasia within 24 hours. Gross and microscopic findings included deep ulcers over the carpal and tarsal joints, sole erosions, muscle necrosis, and muscle and subcutaneous edema and emphysema with intralesional gram-positive rods. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed C. chauvoei infection. All cases occurred in piglets housed in pens with abrasive, solid concrete floors, and skin lesions caused by contact with those floors were presumed to be the port of entry for C. chauvoei.