Diagnosis and treatment of umbilical cord-derived tetanus in neonatal calves

Abstract

In this study, umbilical cord-derived neonatal tetanus in calves was identified in Turkey. Four calves with tetanus-specifichistory and clinical findings were used. Blood samples were taken before and after treatment, and clinical findings were recorded.A tetanus-specific treatment procedure was performed. However, the calves died from not responding to treatment. Pretreatmentwhite blood cell, peripheral blood polymorphonuclear leukocyte, creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels weredetermined to be high. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, CK, and LDH activities were found to increase aftertreatment compared to before treatment. Gram-positive terminal spore-forming bacilli were observed in bacterioscopic examinationof the necrotic tissue and swab samples from the umbilical cord region. The umbilical cord region was determined to be infected inall calves. In histopathological examination, pyogranuloma formation was observed in the wound area, and in Gram staining agentsmorphologically concordant withClostridium tetaniin necrotic material were observed. Blood serum of the calves was inoculatedinto mice. All mice died within 2 days after the inoculation, showing tetanus-specific clinical findings. As a result, bacterioscopy andhistopathology of the umbilical cord region may be useful for diagnosis in addition to clinical findings. Mice trials may be used inconfirming the diagnosis.