Clostridium species diversity in cattle

Introduction. Clostridial infections, though relatively sporadic, are globally ubiquitous and specified by high mortality rates, resulting in substantial economic losses to agriculture. In cattle, pathogenic сlostridia cause diseases such as enterotoxemia, malignant edema, tetanus, and botulism. The most clinically significant species include Clostridium septicum , Clostridium perfringens , Clostridium chauvoei , Clostridium novyi , and Clostridium sordellii . Objective. Study of Clostridium spp. diversity by examination of autopsy samples and sections of cattle from different regions of Russia; determination of their anatomical localization as well as antibiotic resistance of Clostridium perfringens to the most common groups of antibiotics. Materials and methods. Throughout the study, we adhered to internationally recognized regulatory frameworks and methodological guidelines, employing standardized microbiological and mass-spectrometric methods. Antibiotic resistance was tested against multiple drug groups, such as macrolides, monobactams, penicillins, polypeptides, glycopeptides, aminoglycosides, carbapenems, lincosamides, tetracyclines, ansamycins, diaminopyrimidines, fusidic acid derivatives, etc. Clostridium isolates were recovered and identified using routine bacteriological methods coupled with MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry. Results. Analysis of 359 biological samples resulted in isolation and identification of 137 Clostridium isolates ( Paraclostridium bifermentans , Clostridium perfringens , Clostridium tertium , Clostridium butyricum , Clostridium septicum , Clostridium sporogenes , Clostridium cadaveris , Clostridium sphenoides , Clostridium cochlearium , Clostridium sartagoforme , Clostridium chauvoei , Clostridium novyi , Clostridium sordellii , Clostridium paraputrificum , Clostridium spp.), of which 25 exhibited pathogenic potential and 17 demonstrated toxigenic properties. Сlostridia were most frequently isolated from the liver, small and large intestinal segments, and muscular tissues. Herewith, Clostridium perfringens prevailed (17.5%). This bacterium isolates demonstrated multiple drug resistance to cefixime, fusidic acid, cefotaxime, cefaclor, spectinomycin, piperacillin, clarithromycin, doripenem and doxycycline. Conclusion. The obtained results can be used for modification of current clostridial infection treatment protocols, reformulation of immunobiological products, development of evidence-based guidelines for use of antibiotics in livestock production to mitigate antimicrobial resistance risks.