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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Rec / Association between Key-Gaskell syndrome and infection by Cl...
The Veterinary record2004; 155(4); 111-115; doi: 10.1136/vr.155.4.111

Association between Key-Gaskell syndrome and infection by Clostridium botulinum type C/D.

Abstract: There is growing evidence that equine dysautonomia is a toxicoinfection with Clostridium botulinum type C. The possibility that feline dysautonomia has the same aetiology was investigated by attempting to detect botulinum type C neurotoxin in the food, faeces and the contents of the ileum of affected cats, and by serology. The toxin was detected directly in four of eight affected cats and after enrichment in seven of them, and in their dried food. No toxin was detected in healthy control cats or in their tinned food. Recent exposure to the organism was assessed by the detection of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the faeces of healthy control cats and affected cats. The levels of IgA antibodies to the toxin and to surface antigens of C. botulinum type C in the faeces of the affected cats 14 weeks after the outbreak were significantly higher than in the faeces of the control cats.
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Publication Date: 2004-08-27 PubMed ID: 15328740DOI: 10.1136/vr.155.4.111Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the link between Key-Gaskell Syndrome in cats and infection by a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum type C/D, proposing that this condition could be caused by a bacterial infection. Evidence is gathered by testing for the presence of bacterial neurotoxins in the food and waste of affected cats compared to healthy controls, and tracking the cats’ immune response to the bacteria over time.

Study Design and Testing

  • The study examined potential exposure to Clostridium botulinum type C by testing both the food and waste (faeces and ileum contents) of cats diagnosed with Key-Gaskell Syndrome.
  • A group of healthy cats and their food were also tested to serve as controls for comparison.
  • The team specifically looked for a neurotoxin produced by the bacteria called botulinum type C.
  • Direct detection was used to identify the presence of the toxin, and an enrichment process was employed to increase the test’s sensitivity.

Results

  • Botulinum type C neurotoxin was found in the food and faeces of seven out of eight affected cats, and directly detected in four of these.
  • The neurotoxin was not detected in any healthy control cats or their food.

Immunological Response

  • To evaluate recent exposure to Clostridium botulinum type C, the researchers measured the levels of a particular type of antibody, immunoglobulin A (IgA), in the faeces of both the affected cats and the controls.
  • IgA antibodies develop in response to exposure to specific bacteria, including Clostridium botulinum, indicating a recent exposure to the bacteria.
  • The levels of these IgA antibodies in the faeces of the affected cats were significantly higher 14 weeks after the outbreak, compared to the healthy controls.

Conclusion

  • The results of the study provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that Key-Gaskell syndrome in cats could be associated with an infection by Clostridium botulinum type C/D.
  • Detection of the neurotoxin produced by this bacteria in the food and faeces of affected cats, the absence of the toxin in healthy controls, and increased IgA antibody levels in affected cats all suggest a possible link between the bacteria and the disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Nunn F, Cave TA, Knottenbelt C, Poxton IR. (2004). Association between Key-Gaskell syndrome and infection by Clostridium botulinum type C/D. Vet Rec, 155(4), 111-115. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.155.4.111

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 0042-4900
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 155
Issue: 4
Pages: 111-115

Researcher Affiliations

Nunn, F
  • Centre for Infectious Diseases, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Teviot Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AG.
Cave, T A
    Knottenbelt, C
      Poxton, I R

        MeSH Terms

        • Animal Feed / microbiology
        • Animals
        • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology
        • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
        • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / microbiology
        • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / veterinary
        • Botulinum Toxins / immunology
        • Case-Control Studies
        • Cat Diseases / epidemiology
        • Cat Diseases / microbiology
        • Cats
        • Clostridium botulinum / classification
        • Clostridium botulinum / isolation & purification
        • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
        • England / epidemiology
        • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
        • Feces / microbiology
        • Food Microbiology
        • Ileum / microbiology
        • Immunoglobulin G / blood

        Citations

        This article has been cited 7 times.
        1. Černá P, Botts MM, Watson A, Carr SV. Dysautonomia in two littermate kittens. JFMS Open Rep 2023 Jan-Jun;9(1):20551169231164579.
          doi: 10.1177/20551169231164579pubmed: 37151741google scholar: lookup
        2. Le Maréchal C, Hulin O, Macé S, Chuzeville C, Rouxel S, Poëzevara T, Mazuet C, Pozet F, Sellal E, Martin L, Viry A, Rubbens C, Chemaly M. A Case Report of a Botulism Outbreak in Beef Cattle Due to the Contamination of Wheat by a Roaming Cat Carcass: From the Suspicion to the Management of the Outbreak. Animals (Basel) 2019 Nov 25;9(12).
          doi: 10.3390/ani9121025pubmed: 31775272google scholar: lookup
        3. McGorum BC, Symonds HW, Knottenbelt C, Cave TA, MacDonald SJ, Stratton J, Leon I, Turner JA, Pirie RS. Alterations in amino acid status in cats with feline dysautonomia. PLoS One 2017;12(3):e0174346.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174346pubmed: 28333983google scholar: lookup
        4. Atkins CN, Hahn CN, McGorum BC. Comparison of Dysautonomia Across Species: Current Knowledge and Future Research Opportunities. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Jul-Aug;39(4):e70140.
          doi: 10.1111/jvim.70140pubmed: 40525668google scholar: lookup
        5. Harte T, Smith D, Moore J, Wells B. Review of published research on primary dysautonomia of domestic animals. Vet Rec 2026 Jan 3;198(1):e30-e40.
          doi: 10.1002/vetr.5499pubmed: 40482055google scholar: lookup
        6. Novellas R, Simpson KE, Gunn-Moore DA, Hammond GJ. Imaging findings in 11 cats with feline dysautonomia. J Feline Med Surg 2010 Aug;12(8):584-91.
          doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2010.01.012pubmed: 20452794google scholar: lookup
        7. Kidder AC, Johannes C, O'Brien DP, Harkin KR, Schermerhorn T. Feline dysautonomia in the Midwestern United States: a retrospective study of nine cases. J Feline Med Surg 2008 Apr;10(2):130-6.
          doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2007.08.005pubmed: 17950646google scholar: lookup
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