fibrin and Clostridium-Infections

Clinical morphological investigations were carried out in a flock of 22,000 Ross 308 broiler chickens at the age of 38 days that experienced a sudden increase in mortality rates. Morbidity and mortality rates were followed and gross anatomical examination of 150 bodies (7%) of all 1541 dead chickens was performed. In all necropsied birds, without exception, the typical macroscopic lesions were observed only in the gizzard. Focal or diffuse pseudomembranous deposits were found subcuticularly and on the gizzard mucous coat. Microscopically, hyalinization, desquamated epithelial cells and single foci of microorganisms were present among the formed pseudomembranes. Among the fibrin networks of coagulated exudate, a single bacilli were detected. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from all gastric samples investigated. Polymerase chain reactions were positive for alpha-toxin and negative for beta-toxin and beta(2)-toxin.

Topics: Animal Husbandry; Animals; Bacterial Toxins; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Chickens; Clostridium Infections; Clostridium perfringens; Disease Outbreaks; Epithelial Cells; Exudates and Transudates; Fibrin; Gastritis; Gizzard, Avian; Necrosis; Poultry Diseases; Type C Phospholipases

The effect of aprotinin on the clinical and pathologic course of experimentally induced peritonitis in the rat was studied. Peritonitis was induced in 40 rats by creating a closed ileal loop 4 cm long 5 cm from the ileocecal valve. The rats were divided into two groups of 20 rats each. Group 1 served as a control group, whereas each animal in Group 2 received a bolus dose of aprotinin (10 ml) intraperitoneally immediately after closing the laparotomy. In the aprotinin-treated group, survival was drastically increased (p less than 0.01) and formation of adhesions and abscesses was considerably reduced. The results of peritoneal cultures showed a decreased incidence of Escherichia coli and Clostridia in the aprotinin-treated group. We conclude that the administration of aprotinin significantly prolongs the survival time of animals with peritonitis and reduces the development of adhesions and abscesses in the peritoneal cavity. This beneficial effect can be attributed to decreased fibrinogen deposits within the peritoneal cavity and the stabilization of the organism after bacterial shock. Thus, bacteria were more susceptible to cellular and noncellular clearing mechanisms.

Topics: Abscess; Animals; Aprotinin; Clostridium Infections; Escherichia coli Infections; Female; Fibrin; Male; Peritonitis; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Surgical Wound Infection; Tissue Adhesions