Isolation and identification of Clostridium chauvoei from cattle in Mymensingh

Black quarter (BQ), caused by Clostridium chauvoei, is an economically important, highly infectious bacterial disease of cattle, goat and sheep. The present study was conducted to isolate and identify the causal agent of BQ from field cases. A total of 32 samples from necropsied areas of cattle presented to the Teaching Veterinary Hospital, Bangladesh Agricultural University were collected. The samples were subjected for bacteriological culture followed by identification through a series of conventional bacteriological techniques, staining properties and biochemical tests. The bacteria were cultured in anaerobic condition using candle jar. Morphological characters of bacteria were observed after Gram stain. The suspected samples were subjected for several passages in liver infusion broth to get pure culture. On neomycin blood agar, the bacteria showed hemolysis. Based on the cultural and staining characteristics and biochemical tests, 4 (12.5%) out of 32 samples were confirmed as Cl. chauvoei. It is concluded that Cl. chauvoei has been successfully isolated and identified from BQ affected cattle.