Features of the spread and course of clostridioses in livestock farms of Ukraine in 2019

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence and etiological role of clostridia in causing cattle diseases in Ukraine. The research was conducted in 16 livestock farms of Ukraine during 2019 using epizootological, clinical, pathological, bacteriological, and statistical research methods. Bacteriological examination was performed on biological material from cattle with respiratory pathology, endometritis, mastitis, gastrointestinal diseases, with pathology of joints and hooves. Identification of isolated cultures was performed by the tests recommended in the “Bergey’s Manual of Systematics Bacteriology”. According to the research results, 3 epizootic cultures of Clostridium perfringens were selected, their cultural-morphological and virulent properties were studied. Clostridia, which had pathogenic factors, in particular lecithinase activity, produced hemolysins, had toxigenic properties, pathogenic for animals, were isolated in 35.8% of cases in 76 samples of biological material. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from 23 animals with endometritis and 15 animals with mastitis in cows, 14 animals with respiratory pathology, 20 animals with gastrointestinal pathology and from 4 animals with joint and hoof pathology. The isolated pathogens of clostridioses were polyresistant to antibacterial drugs, in particular to penicillins, tetracyclines, amphenicols, macrolides, aminoglycosides and some quinolones. Clostridium perfringens had the lowest resistance to enrofloxacin and cefotaxime. 48.1% of isolated cultures were resistant to metronidazole, and 59.2% of clostridiosis pathogens were resistant to ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, and levofloxacin. It has been established that the causative agents of clostridioses are widespread in livestock farms of Ukraine and have epizootic significance in the etiology of gastrointestinal diseases. Many factors contribute to the disease, and vaccination is not always effective