Isolation and Identification of Clostridium From Saigas

Based on the results of an epizootological survey of the area and microbiological studies of pathological material from saigas brought from the West Kazakhstan region during the epizootics of 2010 and 2011, the cause of the mass death of saigas was established. Gram-positive bacteria with spores, located predominantly subterminally, were found in fingerprint smears from the internal organs of a fallen saiga. Bacteriological nutrient media show the growth of bacterial colonies in the form of intense turbidity (MPA), uniform turbidity (Kitt-Tarozzi) with abundant gas formation, colonies of small, round, smooth, colorless (blood agar). Microscopic examination of colonies on Kitt-Tarozzi medium revealed gram-positive, thick, short bacteria. White mice infected with the bacterial culture died after 16-18 hours with signs of plethora and edema. Gram-positive bacteria with rounded ends were found in fingerprint smears from the internal organs of dead mice.Based on the research, it is argued that the saiga died from anaerobic clostridiosis. The species identity of the isolated bacteria (Clostridium histolyticum and Clostridium perfringens) was determined based on the results of studying the biochemical, molecular and genetic properties of the cultures.