A combined outbreak of Clostridial enterotoxemia and HCN poisoning in laboratory rabbits Somvanshi R.3,*, Sreelekshmy M.3, Viswas K.N.1,3, Telang A.G.2,3, Singh R.3 3Division of Pathology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly-243122, Uttar Pradesh, India 1Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly-243122, Uttar Pradesh, India 2Centre for Animal Disease Research & Diagnosis (CAD-RAD), Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly-243122, Uttar Pradesh, India *Address for Correspondence R. Somvanshi, Division of Pathology, Division of Bacteriology and Mycology, Centre for Animal Disease Research & Diagnosis (CADRAD), Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly-243122, Uttar Pradesh, India, e-mail: dr.rsomvanshi@gmail.com
Abstract An outbreak of high mortality occurred in a closed organized laboratory rabbit colony was investigated. In this outbreak 97/334 (29%) New Zealand White rabbitsdiedsuddenly within 3 days in early winter season. Major necropsy findings were soiling of hind quarter, haemorrhagictyphlitis, pulmonary congestion and haemorrhages. Intestinal contents cultured under anaerobic conditions revealed specific growth. Gram staining of the cultured anaerobic bacteria showed Gram's-positive, short and stumpy rod shaped bacteria. PCR analysis of the bacteria yielded amplicons of 324 bp size specific for alpha toxin indicating that the sample was positive for Clostridium perfringens type A. Three green fodder (especially maize ballies) and four stomach contents from dead animals were found highly positive for HCN toxin. Histopathologically, pronounced necrotizing typhlitis with marked sub mucosal edema, haemorrhages, splenic haemorrhages, pulmonary edema and presence of bacilli in necrotic lesions were seen. Gram's Good Pasteur staining revealed presence of numerous bacilli in sections of affected caecum. It was concluded that in the present outbreak high mortality was caused by combined effects Clostridial and HCN toxins. How to cite this article: Somvanshi, R., M., Sreelekshmy, Viswas, K.N., Telang, A.G. and Singh, R. A combined outbreak of Clostridial-enterotoxemia and HCN poisoning in laboratory rabbits. (2019). Indian J. Vet. Pathol., 43(1): 34–37 Top Keywords Clostridialenterotoxaemia, HCN Poisoning, Rabbits, Pathology. Top |