Acute myonecrosis by Clostridium septicum in horses

Raymundo D. L., Pavarini S. P., Bezerra Junior P. S., Antoniassi N.A.B., Brecht, B. S, Gomes M.J.P. & Driemeier D. 2010. [Acute myonecrosis by Clostridium septicum in horses.] Mionecrose aguda por Clostridium septicum em equinos. Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira 30(8): 637-640. Departamento de Patologia Clinica Veterinaria, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Goncalves 9090, Porto Alegre, RS 91540-000, Brazil. E-mail: davetpat@ufrgs.br Two cases of acute necrotizing myositis caused by Clostridium septicum in horses are described. Both horses presented swelling of the right pelvic limb extending to the ventral abdominal region. The cut surface of the affected area revealed blood-stained edema and gas bubbles. The skeletal muscles of the caudal region of the thigh of the affect limbs had dark red discolored areas of blood-stained edema and crepitation; the deep musculature was dry. The main histopathological findings were swelling, vacuolation and hyaline and floccular necrosis of skeletal myofibers; in between myofibers there were hemorrhage, edema and large amounts of bacilli. In both cases, C. septicum was isolated from the edema fluid of muscular lesions.