Predisposing factors in enterotoxemias of camels (Camelus dromedarius) caused by Clostridium perfringens type A

Abstract

C. perfringens type A was isolated from different organs and intestines from breeding and racing camels which died from peracute and acute enterotoxemias in two separate outbreaks. Pathological changes in the digestive tract were mild in breeding camels, and severe in racing camels. A polyvalent clostridial antiserum of bovine origin given intravenously had a life-saving effect on breeding camels, but not on racing camels. In the two outbreaks, 50 % of the breeding camels were suffering from an acute Trypanosoma evansi infection, and 25 % of the racing camels had developed a salmonellosis. It is suggested that both infections played an important role as predisposing factors for the outbreak of C. perfringens enterotoxemias.