Keywords
How to Cite
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin (CPA) is an important enterotoxemic pathogen linked to gastrointestinal disorders and previously associated with pulmonary disease in other mammals. A young female neotropical otter presented with lethargy, anorexia and steatorrhea, which developed within 24 hours. Veterinary care was provided under anesthesia, during which dehydration, intestinal hypermotility and pulmonary crackling sounds were identified. Hematological tests revealed normochromic normocytic anemia, and a quantitative RT-PCR assay for Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin detected a markedly elevated CPA count (43,789 copies of pathogen DNA/uL) in fecal samples, confirming the diagnosis. An abdominal ultrasound exhibited intestinal gas and mucous fecal contents, with normal wall stratification and evolving peristalsis. Chest X-rays and bronchoscopy revealed diffuse serous secretion associated with an underlying inflammatory process, predominantly affecting the left lung. Treatment included hydroelectrolyte replacement, analgesia, antibiotics, and antiemetics, with close monitoring during the critical stage. The patient improved gradually, with regression of clinical signs and the emergence of innate behaviors, and was discharged to the original enclosure after two weeks, supported by updated test results. In conclusion, this study analyzes and details the veterinary approach, diagnosis, and treatment of an acute infectious enteric condition with pulmonary involvement in a neotropical otter under human care.
References
Bunting, M., Lorant, D. E., Bryant, A. E., Zimmerman, G. A., McIntyre, T. M., Stevens, D. L., & Prescott, S. M. (1997). Alpha toxin from Clostridium perfringens induces proinflammatory changes in endothelial cells. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 100(3), 565-574. http://doi.org/10.1172/JCI119566. PMid:9239403.
Carvalho-Junior, O., Macedo-Soares, L. C. P., & Birolo, A. B. (2010). Annual and interannual food habits variability of a neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) Population in Conceição Lagoon, South of Brazil. IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin, 27(1), 24-32.
Casariego-Madorell, M. A., List, R., & Ceballos, G. (2008). Tamaño poblacional y alimentación de la nutria de río (Lontra longicaudis annectens) en la costa de Oaxaca, México. Acta Zoológica Mexicana, 24(2), 179-199. http:// doi.org/10.21829/azm.2008.242713.
Cheida, C. C., Nakano-Oliveira, E., Fusco-Costa, R., Rocha-Mendez, F., & Quadros, J. (2006). Ordem Carnívora. In N. R. Reis, A. L. Peracchi, A. W. Pedro, & I. P. Lima (Eds.), Mamíferos do Brasil (pp. 231-266). Edifurb.
Javorouski, M. L., & Passerino, A. S. M. (2014). Carnivora – Mustelidae (Ariranha, Lontra e Irara). In Z. S. Cubas, J. C. R. Silva, & J. L. Catão-Dias. Tratado de animais selvagens: Medicina Veterinária (2. ed. pp. 907-929). Roca.
Nagahama, M., Michiue, K., & Sakurai, J. (1996). Membrane-damaging action of Clostridium perfringens alphatoxin on phospholipid liposomes. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1280(1), 120-126. http://doi.org/10.1016/0005- 2736(95)00288-X. PMid:8634306.
Oda, M., Shiihara, R., Ohmae, Y., Kabura, M., Takagishi, T., Kobayashi, K., Nagahama, M., Inoue, M., Abe, T., Setsu, K., & Sakurai, J. (2012). Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin induces the release of IL-8 through a dual pathway via TrkA in A549 cells. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1822(10), 1581-1589. http://doi.org/10.1016/j. bbadis.2012.06.007. PMid:22721959.
Pardini, R. (1998). Feeding ecology of the neotropical river otter Lontra longicaudis in an Atlantic Forest stream, south-eastern Brazil. Journal of Zoology, 245(4), 385-391. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1998.tb00113.x.
Prescott, J. F. (2013). Clostridium. In: D. S. Mcvey, M. Kennedy & M. M. Chengappa. Veterinary Microbiology (3rd ed. pp. 245-262). John Wiley & Sons.
Quadros, J., & Monteiro-Filho, E. L. A. (2001). Diet of the Neotropical Otter, Lontra longicaudis, in an Atlantic Forest Area, Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil. Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment, 36(1), 15-21. http://doi.org/10.1076/snfe.36.1.15.8881.
Rheingantz, M. L., de Menezes, J. F. S., Galliez, M., & Fernandez, F. A. S. (2017). Biogeographic patterns in the feeding habits of the opportunist and semiaquatic Neotropical otter. Hydrobiologia, 28(1), 37-44. http://doi. org/10.1007/s10750-017-3095-5.
Rheingantz, M. L., Waldemarin, H. F., Rodrigues, L., & Moulton, T. P. (2011). Seasonal and spatial differences in feeding habits of the Neotropical otter Lontra longicaudis (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in a coastal catchment of southeastern Brazil. Zoologia, 28(1), 37-44. http://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-46702011000100006.
Rheingantz, M., Oliveira-Santos, L., Caramaschi, E., & Waldemarin, H. (2012). Are otters generalists or do they prefer larger, slower prey? Feeding flexibility of the neotropical Otter Lontra longicaudis in the Atlantic Forest. IUCN Otter Specialist Group Bulletin, 29, 80-94. http://doi.org/10.1590/S1984-46702011000100006.
Rheingantz, M., Valenzuela, A. E. J., Botero Botero, A., Thoisy, B., Trujillo, F., González, I., Gallo Reynoso, J. P., Marmontel, M., Hernández Romero, P. C., Rosas Ribeiro, P. F., Wallace, R., & Utreras Bucheli, V. M. (2018). Neotropical Otter Lontra longicaudis. In: N. Duplaix & M. Savage. The Global Otter Conservation Strategy (pp. 82-89). IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group.
Rheingantz, M.L., Rosas-Ribeiro, P., Gallo-Reynoso, J., Fonseca da Silva, V.C., Wallace, R., Utreras, V. & HernándezRomero, P. (2022). Lontra longicaudis (amended version of 2021 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2022, e.T12304A219373698. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T12304A219373698.en.
Rodrigues, L. A., Leuchtenberger, C., Kasper, C. B., Carvalho Junior, O., & da Silva, V. C. F. (2013). Avaliação do risco de extinção da lontra neotropical Lontra longicaudis (Olfers, 1818) no Brasil. Biodiversidade Brasileira, 3(1), 216-227.
Rousselet, E., & Leclerc, A. (2023). Overview of Clostridium perfringens in zoo animals. In E. Miller, N. Lamberski, & P. Calle (Eds.), Fowler’s zoo and Wild Animal Medicine Current Therapy (10th ed., pp. 187-196). Saunders. http://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-82852-9.00029-0.
Sakurai, J., Nagahama, M., & Oda, M. (2004). Clostridium perfringens alpha-toxin: Characterization and mode of action. Journal of Biochemistry, 136(5), 569-574. http://doi.org/10.1093/jb/mvh161. PMid:15632295.
Silva, R. O., & Lobato, F. C. (2015). Clostridium perfringens: A review of enteric diseases in dogs, cats and wild animals. Anaerobe, 33, 14-17. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.anaerobe.2015.01.006. PMid:25644183.
Takagishi, T., Takehara, M., Seike, S., Miyamoto, K., Kobayashi, K., & Nagahama, M. (2017). Clostridium perfringens α-toxin impairs erythropoiesis by inhibition of erythroid differentiation. Scientific Reports, 7(1), 5217. http:// doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-05567-8. PMid:28701754.
Thrall, D. (2017). Canine and feline lung. In: D. Thrall. Textbook of Veterinary Diagnostic Radiology (7th ed. pp. 710-734). Elsevier.
Uzal, F. A., Songer, J. G., Prescott, J. F., Popoff, M. R., Navarro, M., & Uzal, F. A. (2016). Infectious necrotic hepatitis. In F.A. Uzal, J.G. Songer, J.F. Prescott & M.R. Popoff (Eds.), Clostridial Diseases of Animals (pp. 275-279). http:// doi.org/10.1002/9781118728291.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2024 Beatriz Araujo dos Santos, Bruna Emely Pereira Barbosa, Arthur Carlos da Trindade Alves, Bernardo de Paula Miranda, Gabrielly Ferreira Santos, Daniel de Almeida Balthazar