Emphysematous rumenitis in a Japanese black calf caused by Clostridium perfringens with secondary Balantidium coli infection

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 87; no. 7; pp. 735 - 740
• Main Authors: HEGAZY, Asmaa A., FUKE, Naoyuki, NAKAI, Mutsumi, KAKIYA, Miho, KONDO, Hiroaki, HIRAI, Takuya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 2025; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: Acidosis; Animals; Anorexia; Balantidiasis - complications; Balantidiasis - microbiology; Balantidiasis - pathology; Balantidiasis - veterinary; Balantidium - isolation & purification; Balantidium coli; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - microbiology; Cattle Diseases - pathology; Clostridium Infections - complications; Clostridium Infections - microbiology; Clostridium Infections - pathology; Clostridium Infections - veterinary; Clostridium perfringens; Clostridium perfringens - isolation & purification; Dysbacteriosis; Emphysema - microbiology; Emphysema - pathology; Emphysema - veterinary; emphysematous rumenitis; Gram-positive bacilli; Japanese black calf; Male; Necropsy; Pathology; Polymerase chain reaction; Rumen; Rumen - microbiology; Rumen - pathology; Rumenitis; ruminal acidosis; Stomach Diseases - microbiology; Stomach Diseases - pathology; Stomach Diseases - veterinary; Balantidium coli; Japanese black calf; emphysematous rumenitis; ruminal acidosis; Clostridium perfringens
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.24-0403

A 4-month-old Japanese black calf exhibited anorexia and respiratory distress. Necropsy revealed a spongiform appearance of the rumen wall and histologically diagnosed as emphysematous rumenitis. The ruminal mucosa exhibited characteristic lesions of chemical rumenitis, so ruminal acidosis is suspected. Gram-positive bacilli were discernible on the degenerated ruminal mucosal surface and reacted with Clostridium species antibodies. Anaerobic cultures yielded Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as C. perfringens type A. The lumen and submucosa of the rumen showed a large ciliated trophozoite confirmed by PCR as Balantidium coli (B. coli). These findings suggest that ruminal acidosis leads to dysbiosis and allows C. perfringens type A to grow, causing emphysematous rumenitis and facilitating secondary B. coli infection.