Synonyms: Red water disease; Infectious Haemoglobinuria
It is an infectious disease of cattle and sheep characterized by high rise of temperature, depression, rapid haemolysis of erythrocytes, icterus and haemorrhage. It is a fatal disease and death may occur in 24 to 36 hours.
Distribution
The disease has been recorded from United states, Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain. The disease is highly prevalent in those areas where there is preponderance of fascioliasis.
Aetiology
The disease is caused by Clostridium haemolyticum. It is a soil borne anaerobic, motile, sporulating, rod having parallel sides and rounded ends measuring 1.0-1.1 in length. The spore can persist in the soil and water for long-time. The organism can produce potent toxin that is haemolytic in nature. Two toxin compounds are observed in suitable media. They are haemolytic and necrotic in nature. The toxin has been identified as lecithinase. Young cultures are gram positive but old culture appears as gram negative. The spores and vegetative cells are sensitive to heat. They are killed at 65° C for 15 minutes.
Susceptible Hosts
This is primarily a disease of cattle. Cattle of all ages do suffer. But, the disease has been observed in sheep and dog. The disease can experimentally be produced in rabbit, guinea pig and mice.
Mode of Transmission
The transmission depends on the virulence of the organism and the geographical areas where the spores are discharged. Swampy areas, areas having plenty of rainfalls and irrigation favour the spread of the disease. Spores can be carried from infective zone to non-infective zone through flood and irrigation. The areas may be contaminated with infected hays or by carrier animals. Discharges from open carcases and faeces may infect the grazing pasture. Carnivorous animals may spread the disease by carrying the infected meat, bone and other offals from one place to the others. The disease may also be spread through transportation of infected tissues and contaminated feed and water.
Pathogenesis
The organisms on ingestion lodge in the intestine and set up duodenitis. After penetrating portal blood vessels in the duodenum the organisms are carried to the liver and localise there. The organisms liberate toxin and thus there is extensive damage of liver and resultant hypoxia. There is necrotic changes in the liver. The toxins thus liberated in large amount cause haemolysis. The RBC’s are haemolysed and there is severe hypoxaemia. The resultant hypoxaemia along with other metabolic agents injure capillary endothelium and increase capillary permeability and thus escape into the tissues. Oedematous fluid accumulates in the body cavity. Bacteraemia may develop during the disease process.
It has been pointed out that liver fluke infestation acts as conductive agents for the flaring up of the disease. But, sufficient proof of association of liver fluke with the development of the disease is not available.
Clinical Findings
The animal may be found lying dead without showing any pre-monitory signs. There is sudden appearance of the disease characterized by high rise of temperature, reduced appetite, depression, suspension of rumination, defaecation, fall in milk yield, arched back condition, reluctancy in movement, dry muzzle, rapid pulse, evidence of jugular pulse and red colour urine. The visible mucous membranes of mouth, eye and vagina are pale and icteric. There are signs of dehydration, laboured breathing and oedema of brisket region. Death is due to toxaemia and hypoxaemia. Hypoxaemia is due to destruction of RBC.
Lesions
Tissues are dehydrated. There is onset of quick rigor mortis. Posterior part is soiled with red coloured urine. Signs of generalised Jaundice, Subcutaneous haemorrhages. Enlarged regional lymph nodes. Liver is enlarged and anaemic. Presence of infarcts in the liver. Pleural and peritoneal cavities are filled with blood fluid. Pleura and peritoneum show icteric changes and often with haemorrhagic areas.
Diagnosis
This is based on the following considerations:
- Clinical signs – haemolysis and haemoglobinuria
- Blood picture – Low RBC count and low haemoglobin percentage.
- Lesions – pathognomonic liver infarction
- Isolation of the organism through culture.
- Serum agglutination test.
- F.A.T – This technique has been considered useful in differentiation of Cl. haemolyticum infection from other diseases.
Differential Diagnosis
Haemoglobinuria may arise due to number of other diseases. Therefore differentiation has to be made from those diseases. They are:
Leptosirosis: Characterized by fever, jaundice and haemoglobinuria. Liver does not have infarction. Leptospira can be demonstrated in the urine. For this dark-field illumination technique can be adopted.
Anaplasmosis: Characterized by anaemia and icterus but there is not liver infarction. Anaplasmosis can be demonstrated in blood smear.
Babesiosis: Characterized by high rise of temperature and haemoglobinuria. There is no infarction of liver. Babesia can be demonstrated in blood. Capillary tube agglutination test may be performed to detect the presence of the infection.
Post parturient haemoglobinuria: Characterized by profound anaemia without rise of temperature. History of ingestion of cruciferous plants. There is no infarction of liver. Respond to phosphorous therapy.
Enzootic haematuria: Characterized by red urine without any rise of temperature. History of ingestion of Bracken fern. Extensive haemorrhagic lesions in the wall of the urinary bladder.
Myoglobinuria: A rare disease in cattle. There is no rise of temperature. History of grain engorgement. Increased CPK level. Muscular degeneration. Differentiation is to be made from haemoglobinuria. Respond to thiamine therapy.
Treatment
It is a very highly fatal per-acute disease. Therefore, prompt treatment is required for effective response. Antibodies like Penicillin or Tetracycline are to be used at a large doses at 12 hours interval. Antiserum may be given at a dose rate of 500 to 1000 ml depending on body weight. Simultaneous treatment with antibiotic and antiserum may be made to achieve satisfactory response. Supportive treatment includes blood transfusion, administration of stimulants and physiological solution, iron compound and liver extract to correct anaemia.
Control
- Susceptible cattle should be isolated from other cattle in endemic zone.
- Cattle should not be transported from one place to other without vaccination.
- Carcass should be burnt or buried and the premises should be disinfected properly.
- Disease can be effectively controlled by vaccination. Formalin killed precipitated or before the emergence of the disease is suggested.
