Serological investigation of a botulism outbreak in cattle in Bolu, Turkey

Abstract

Botulism is a disease caused by toxins, which produced by Clostridium botulinum. The aim of the study is to asses results of serologic (ELISA antibody) evaluation in clinically normal, randomize selected cattle living where outbreak area and selected clinically normal cattle from Bursa, different area. All of the blood samples from outbreak area (n:60) and control blood samples (n:10) were tested in two different laboratory in Germany for anti-BoNT antibodies using antibody ELISA which used purified A, B, C and D BoNT antigens and separately ruminal fluids, sera samples from 2 animals suffering from suspected Botulism were analyzed in Istanbul. The diseases were determined in four different villages. Hundred sixty six cattle were died during 2.5 year. In outbreak area, clinical findings included a paralyzed tongue, decreased rumen contractions, decreased muscle tones, incoordination, lateral recumbency, progressing to weakness of extremities and progressively paralysis was back to front. In the study, BoNT/C and BoNT/D were predominant serotype. In some cattle, we found positive in same animal both of BoNT/C and BoNT/D. It may be related with BoNT/C-D mosaic gene serotype. The outbreak illustrates that botulism is increasingly encountered disease in our country and will be important issue in future. Therefore, we should develop control strategies and further comprehensive studies are needed.