Isolation of a Clonal Population of Clostridium perfringens type A from a Belgian Blue Calf with Abomasal Ulceration

A case of abomasal ulceration in a 3-month-old Belgian Blue calf is described. Microscopical examination revealed the ulcers to be demarcated by a band of neutrophilic inflammation that separated underlying healthy tissue from the superficial fibrinous necrotic material in which bacteria were present. Clostridium perfringens type A was isolated from multiple ulcers and from the intestinal contents of the animal and pulsed field gel electrophoresis confirmed that the isolates comprised a genetically clonal population.