Infectious necrotic hepatitis

Infectious necrotic hepatitis, also known as black disease, is an acute and highly lethal disease caused by Clostridium novyi type B that mainly affects sheep, horses, and, less frequently, other animal species. The pathogenesis of black disease is usually assumed to be similar to that of bacillary hemoglobinuria; however, there is little scientific evidence to support the classical model for this disease. Hepatic necrosis is the hallmark of infectious necrotic hepatitis in affected animals. This chapter discusses the current information regarding etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and control of this disease.