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==Description==

==Description==

Tyzzer's disease is an acute, highly fatal bacterial infection that is seen in a wide range of animals. It most commonly affects foals and laboratory animals and occasionally dogs, cats and calves. Foals are usually affected individually in sporadic cases whereas outbreaks of disease occur in rodents and rabbits. The bacteria that causes the disease is ''Clostridium piliforme'', a gram negative spore-forming intracellular bacterium found in soil and faeces.

Tyzzer's disease is an acute, highly fatal bacterial infection that is seen in a wide range of animals. It most commonly affects foals and laboratory animals and occasionally dogs, cats and calves. Tyzzer's disease in foals usually occurs in individual cases, whereas outbreaks of disease occur in rodents and rabbits. The bacteria that causes the disease is ''Clostridium piliforme'', a gram negative spore-forming intracellular bacterium found in soil and faeces.

The aetiology of the disease is poorly understood. Infection most likely results from oral exposure; possible mechanisms include ingestion of spore-forming faeces or contact with carrier animals. Following ingestion, the spores colonise the intestine and liver via the portal circulation. The disease most commonly affects young stressed animals.

The aetiology of the disease is poorly understood. Infection most likely results from oral exposure; possible mechanisms include ingestion of spore-forming faeces or contact with carrier animals. Following ingestion, the spores colonise the intestine and liver via the portal circulation. The disease most commonly affects young stressed animals.  

==Clinical signs==

==Clinical signs==

The disease in rabbits and rodents is usually characterised by an unkempt coat, depression and fatal diarrhoea. Affected foals are usually normal at birth and the develop rapidly progressive signs relating to an acute septicaemia hepatitis. Foals aged between one and six weeks of age are affected. Clinical signs include depression, loss of suckle reflex, severe icterus, neurological signs, pyrexia and diarrhoea. Animals may be found dead without known pre-existing clinical signs. The course of the disease from the onset of clinical signs to death is usually around 48 hours.  

The disease in rabbits and rodents is usually characterised by an unkempt coat, depression and fatal diarrhoea. Foals are usually normal at birth and then develop rapidly progressive signs relating to an acute hepatitis. The disease mostly affects foals aged between one and six weeks of age. Clinical signs include acute lethargy, loss of suckle reflex, severe icterus, neurological signs, pyrexia and diarrhoea. Animals may be found dead without known pre-existing clinical signs. The course of the disease from the onset of clinical signs to death is usually around 48 hours.  

Laboratory diagnostic tests are of little value in small mammals as death is usually rapid. Recently, a PCR test has been described for use in these animals but this is not currently commercially available.  

Laboratory diagnostic tests are of little value in small mammals as death is usually rapid. Recently, a PCR test has been described for use in these animals but this is not currently commercially available.  

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

High dose sodium penicillin and trimethoprim sulpadiazine have been used successfully to treat foals with Tyzzer's disease. Other supportive treatment may include aggressive fluid therapy with dextrose, parenteral nutrition and control of seizure activity using alpha-2 receptor agonists.  

''C piliforme'' has been reported to be susceptible to penicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin, and streptomycin in studies using infected embryonated eggs. High dose sodium penicillin and trimethoprim sulpadiazine have been used successfully to treat foals with Tyzzer's disease. Parenteral nutrition is particularly important in affected animals due to a reduction in hepatic metabolism caused by necrosis. Other supportive treatment may include aggressive fluid therapy with dextrose, control of seizure activity using alpha-2 receptor agonists.