Clinico-pathological studies on black quarter in cattle

The present study was conducted on 42 clinical cases of black quarter in cattle to study the haemato-biochemical, gross and histopathological changes. The haemato-biochemical changes observed in affected animals included significant increase in absolute granulocyte count, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and creatinine kinase as compared to healthy control indicating muscular damage. The gross lesions were excessive bloated appearance of carcass immediately after death along with crepitating or non-crepitating swelling primarily at different sites viz. hind quarter, shoulder and neck region etc. On incision, the swelling showed oozing of dark red fluid with bubbles with rancid odour. The affected muscles were dark red in colour with sponge like appearance frequently with presence of gas bubbles indicating necrotizing hemorrhagic myositis. The spleen was frequently moderately enlarged and showed mushy appearance. The important histopathological lesions observed in affected skeletal muscles were extensive haemorrhages and marked inflammatory response predominantly containing neutrophilic infiltration in spaces between muscle fibers indicating haemorrhagic necrotizing myositis leading to architectural disruption of myofibrils. Focal coagulative necrosis of muscle bundles also observed. Frequently, many empty spaces within muscle bundles were evident indicating presence of gas bubbles (emphysema) and edema. In conclusion, the findings like granulocytosis, lymphocytopenia, anemia, elevated levels of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and creatinine kinase can be used as marker hemato-biochmical parameters for preliminary clinical diagnosis of black quarter in conjunction with other important parameters like clinical signs, conventional and molecular techniques for detection of causative agent, gross and histopathological changes.