What is the primary disease caused by Clostridium chauvoei?

Clostridium chauvoei is known primarily for causing blackleg, a significant disease in livestock, particularly in cattle. This bacterium typically infects muscle tissue, leading to myonecrosis, and is characterized by rapid onset and severe illness. Blackleg is often associated with animals that graze on pastures contaminated with spores of the organism, which can survive in the soil for long periods. The disease is marked by symptoms such as sudden lameness, swelling of the affected muscle, and fever, often culminating in death if not treated promptly. The distinct nature of this condition, along with its association with the specific pathogen, underscores why blackleg is the primary disease linked to Clostridium chauvoei.

The other options represent diseases caused by different pathogens or conditions not typically attributed to C. chauvoei. For example, milk fever is related to calcium deficiency in dairy cows, botulism is associated with Clostridium botulinum and affects the nervous system, and tetanus is caused by Clostridium tetani, which leads to muscle spasms and rigidity. Each of these diseases has a distinct etiology and symptomatology, which differentiates them from blackleg.