First report of bacillary hemoglobinuria in buffaloes / Primeiro relato de hemoglobinúria bacilar em búfalos

Abstract

We herein describe a typical episode of bacillary hemoglobinuria in buffalloes, triggered by liver fluke invasion proved by pathognomonic macro and micro lesions of fasciolosis in the biliary ducts and the nephrosis and hepatic focal necrosis characterizing the toxic-infectious process caused by Clostridium haemolyticum. This report is quite similar to another one described by AHOURAI et al. (1990) in cattle following liver fluke invasion and C. haemolyticum isolation and we both agree with the fact that foci of ischemic of toxic necrosis serve as a focus in which clostridial spores might vegetate and cause the disease by producing toxins. Vaccination with bacterin or toxoids is the most effective measure for preventing these histotoxic clostridial diseases since the endospores of the microorganism persist in the environment. Also, as the process is triggered by fluke liver migration, the prevention should cover the control of this trematode as well. Although the pathogenicity of bacillary hemoglobinuria is well known, there are only a few reports currently available, and to our knowledge this is the first case of the disease described in buffaloes.