Abstract

Black quarter (BQ) is an acute, endogenous, infectious bacterial disease that primarily affects the hind limb of ruminants. It is caused by Clostridium chauvoei, a small spindle, Gram-positive, anaerobic rod-shaped spore-forming organism that is motile through peritrichous flagella. It bears the name in honour of Auguste J. B. Chauveau the French veterinarian and bacteriologist (1827–1917). Severe toxaemia and gaseous oedema of the skeletal muscle are the hallmarks of this condition.  The death rate is 100%; animals that are found alive can receive large doses of penicillin, but the results are not good. Because it is a peracute infection, it is quite severe and short-lived.  This study reports a spontaneous outbreak of clostridial illness at the National Livestock Resources Research Centre, headquartered in Maruzi, Apac District, Uganda. Black quarter diagnosis included clinical history, antemortem and post-mortem clinical findings, histopathology and laboratory diagnosis.  In order to control an outbreak of sporadic C. chauvoei at the livestock research centre in Maruzi, northern Uganda; laboratory testing, observation of the disease's distinctive clinical indications, and the use of penicillin as an empirical treatment were used. Death was observed in 7 cases.

Key words: Black quarter, Clostridium chauvoei, septicaemia, cattle, Maruzi, Apac District, Uganda, outbreak, antibiotic therapy, sudden death, myonecrosis.