Paeniclostridium (Clostridium) sordellii–associated enterocolitis in 7 horses

Enteric disease in horses may be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including several clostridial species. Paeniclostridium sordellii (previously Clostridium sordellii) has been frequently associated with gas gangrene in humans and several animal species, including horses. However, its role in enteric diseases of animals has not been fully determined. We describe herein 7 cases of enteric disease in horses associated with P. sordellii infection. Grossly, the small and/or large intestines were necrotic, hemorrhagic, and edematous. Microscopically, there was severe mucosal necrosis and hemorrhage of the small and/or large intestine of all horses. P. sordellii was isolated and/or demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and/or PCR in the intestine of all horses. All other known causes of enteric disease in horses were ruled out in these 7 cases. P. sordellii should be considered among the differential diagnoses in cases of enteric disease in horses.

Bacteriemia por Clostridium sordellii en paciente con neoplasia gastrointestinal. Reporte de caso y revisión de literatura

La bacteriemia por Clostridium sordellii es infrecuente y usualmente se origina a partir de infecciones de etiología generalmente ginecológica y puerperal, con unamortalidad de aproximadamente el 70%. Existen pocas herramientas para el diagnóstico rápido y oportuno, siendo así la experiencia de tratamiento para este germen muy limitada en otros escenarios, lo que probablemente sea la causa de su alta mortalidad. Presentamos una paciente con antecedente de masa abdominal expansiva de larga data, con diagnóstico por histopatología e inmunohistoquimica compatibles con tumor del estroma gastrointestinal (GIST por sus siglas en inglés) y estudios de extensión que confirman compromiso metastásico hepático, en quien se documenta bacteriemia por Clostridium sordellii.

Clostridium sordellii–associated gas gangrene in 8 horses, 1998–2019

Gas gangrene occurs in several animal species and is caused by one or more clostridial species. In horses, the disease is most often caused by Clostridium perfringens type A. Although Clostridium sordellii has been associated with gas gangrene in ruminants and humans, cases of the disease associated with this microorganism have not been described in horses, to our knowledge. We report herein 8 cases of gas gangrene caused by C. sordellii in horses. These cases were characterized by myonecrosis and cellulitis, associated with systemic changes suggestive of toxic shock. The diagnosis was confirmed by gross and microscopic changes combined with anaerobic culture, fluorescent antibody test, immunohistochemistry, and/or PCR. The predisposing factor in these cases was an injection or a traumatic skin injury. C. sordellii should be considered as a possible etiologic agent in cases of gas gangrene in horses.