title: An outbreak of equine botulism type A associated with feeding grass clippings.
abstract: In September 2010, an outbreak of type A botulism involved 4 horses in northern California that were fed grass clippings obtained from a nearby park. All 4 animals developed a progressive flaccid paralysis syndrome clinically consistent with exposure to preformed Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). Within 48 hr of consuming the grass clippings, all 4 horses showed marked cervical weakness (inability to raise their heads to a normal position) and died or were euthanized within 96 hr. One horse was submitted for diagnostic examination and subsequent necropsy. At necropsy, extensive edema was observed in areas of the nuchal ligament and inguinal fascia. A sample of the grass clippings tested positive for preformed BoNT type A by the mouse bioassay test. Emphasis should be placed on early case recognition, rapid initiation of treatment with the trivalent antitoxin product, and preventing exposure to BoNT in spoiled forages.
authors.affiliation: California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, PO Box 1770, Davis, CA 95616-1770, USA. sostrowski@cahfs.ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Stephanie R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Ostrowski
authors.forename: Steven V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Kubiski
authors.forename: Joanie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palmero
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.forename: Jamie K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: Sheri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cook-Cronin
authors.forename: Snehal N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Tawde
authors.forename: Beate M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Crossley
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yant
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cazarez
authors.forename: Francisco A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Uzal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D001906:Botulism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D003014:Clostridium botulinum / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D006736:Horses; D051379:Mice
chemical_list: D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A