title: Clostridium septicum myositis in a western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla).
abstract: A 10-yr-old male gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) with a history of conspecific bite wounds was evaluated for acute onset of depression, anorexia, and right hemiparesis. The animal was immobilized for diagnostic examination and treatment for suspected toxic shock from a necrotizing, emphysematous wound infection, but was euthanized due to complications during recovery. Gross and histopathologic examination revealed acute necrotizing myositis, fasciitis, cellulitis, and emphysema in the affected wound area, with large numbers of large Gram-positive rods among necrotic muscle fibers. Severe pulmonary edema with airways containing fibrin, acute hemorrhage in multiple body sites, thrombosis in blood vessels in the skeletal muscle, liver, and lung, and lymph node hyperplasia with lymphoid necrosis and hemorrhage. Immunohistochemical fluorescent antibody staining of muscle from the wound site was positive for
authors.affiliation: Walt Disney World Animal Programs, Disney's Animal Kingdom, 1200 North Savannah Circle East, Bay Lake, Florida 32830-1000, USA.
authors.forename: Deidre K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Fontenot
authors.forename: Scott P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Terrell
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Patricia K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stetter
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018420:Ape Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D001733:Bites and Stings; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D052557:Clostridium septicum / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006071:Gorilla gorilla; D008297:Male; D009220:Myositis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*