6년령, 암컷 시베리안 허스키가 점액성 설사로 충북대학교 동물의료센터에 내원하였다. 분변 검사 결과 심한 장상피세포 박리와 함께 다수(>70%)의 아포형성 간균 증식이 관찰되었다. 분자생물학적 세균 동정 결과 증식된 세균은 Clostridium perfringens로 확인되었으며, toxin 검사 결과 $alpha$-toxin이 세균에 의해 합성되고 있음을 확인하였다. 따라서 환자는 $alpha$-toxin을 합성하는 C. perfingens에 의한 장염으로 진단하였으며, amoxicillin/clavulanate를 투여하였다. 치료 1주 후 설사는 소실되었으며, 분변 검사 결과 아포 형성 간균은 소실되었다. 이 증례는 빠르고 정확한 진단으로 type A C. perfringens에 의한 장염이 효과적으로 치료됨을 보여준다.
A 6-year-old, female, Siberian husky was referred with mucous diarrhea. On fecal examination, numerous clustered and individual large epithelial cells and rod-shaped, spore-forming bacteria were examined. By bacterial culture and molecular typing, the bacteria was identified as Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens), and by toxin analysis of C. perfringens, production of $alpha$-toxin was confirmed. Based on these results, the dog was diagnosed as enteritis caused by C. perfringens producing $alpha$-toxin, and was treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate. After 1 week, the diarrhea was disappeared and no spore-forming bacteria were examined on fecal examination. This report shows that the rapid and exact diagnosis keeps a effective treatment for enteritis caused by C. perfringens producing $alpha$-toxin in dogs.
