CLOSTRIDIAL ENTERIC DISEASES OF DOMESTIC-ANIMALS

Clostridial enteric infections in domestic animals remain a substantia l problem for producers, veterinary practitioners, and diagnosticians in spite of the ready availability of putatively effective immunoproph ylactic products An accompanying problem is the near-anecdotal nature of much of our information on the incidence, prevalence, and nature of many clostridial diseases. As traditional in vivo diagnostic methods fall into increasing disfavor, the demand for rapid and definitive in vitro diagnostics is increasing. Effectively addressing the challenges of the future will be facilitated by accurate assessment of the incid ence and/or prevalence of these infections and the informed participat ion of diagnosticians and practitioners to better define clinical, mic robiologic, and pathologic characteristics which may be useful in diag nosis and improving immunoprophylactic products. Equally important wil l be integration of the findings of laboratory research to provide dia gnostic tools and application of these tools to rapid diagnosis, allow ing timely application of therapy or prophylaxis.