ENTERITE HEMORRÁGICA FATAL CAUSADA POR CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS TIPO A EM UM CÃO ADULTO NO BRASIL

Abstract

Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, rod-shaped, spore forming, oxygen-tolerant anaerobe which is a common inhabitant of the intestine of human beings and animals, but is also found in the environment. C. perfringens is classified in five toxinotypes (A-E), according to the production of 4 major toxins (alpha [plc], beta [cpb], epsilon [etx], and iota [iap and iab]). The aim of this study is to describe a fatal C. perfringens type A infection in an adult dog in Brazil. The animal, a 9-years-old female, showed bloody diarrhea few hours after the ingestion of a “chicken soup” and was found dead approximately 6 hours of the beginning of the clinical sings. The post mortem examination revealed duodenal serosa markedly red and filled with a hemorrhagic fluid. The histolopathological evaluation showed an extensive intestinal necrosis with large number of cell debris and inflammatory cells in the lumen and intestinal lamina propria. The intestinal content was positive for C. perfringens type A and no other enteropathogens were detected. The association between clinical signs, post mortem alterations and laboratory exams suggest C. perfringens type A infection. The present report is the first description of this disease in a dog in Brazil and highlight the need of more studies to elucidate the predisposing factors of C. perfringens associated diarrhea in dogs.