Toxigenic characteristics of Clostridium perfringens type C in enterotoxemia of domestic animals.
Abstract: Eleven Clostridium perfringens type C strains isolated from fatal cases of hemorrhagic enterotoxemia of Canadian calves, a piglet, and a foal were studied for the production of soluble antigens. All the isolates from calves and a foal failed to produce delta toxin, but were capable of producing large amounts of lethal beta toxin. A strain isolated from a piglet produced delta, but very little beta toxin. Other differences were relatively minor. The results indicated that young domestic animals may be susceptible to all subtypes of C. perfringens type C. A simple method of using blood agar plates coated with type A antiserum for demonstration of hemolytic patterns was found advantageous in differentiation of C. perfringens strains.
Publication Date: 1987-04-01 PubMed ID: 2886206PubMed Central: PMC1255307
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research explored the toxigenic properties of the bacteria Clostridium perfringens type C, particularly its role in causing digestive disorders like hemorrhagic enterotoxemia in domestic animals. It was found that the bacteria produce different types and amounts of toxins in different animals, thus each type of animal may be susceptible to different subtypes of the bacteria.
Study Subjects and Methodology
- The study focused on eleven strains of Clostridium perfringens type C, which were isolated from domestic animals in Canada that had died due to hemorrhagic enterotoxemia – a lethal disease that causes inflammation and damage in the intestines.
- The animals included calves, a piglet, and a foal. The distinct strains of bacteria isolated from each of these animals were analyzed for their capacity to produce soluble antigens.
Production of Toxins
- The researchers found that all the bacterial strains isolated from the calves and the foal did not produce any delta toxin, a harmful substance that the bacteria can generate to cause disease. Instead, they were found to generate significant amounts of beta toxin, another potent toxin.
- On the other hand, the strain extracted from the piglet produced the delta toxin, but only negligible amounts of the beta toxin were detected.
Implications for Animal Health
- The study suggested that young domestic animals might be vulnerable to all subtypes of Clostridium perfringens type C as the bacteria can produce different combinations of toxins. It means that the susceptibility of the animals may not be limited to a single type of this bacteria.
Differentiation of Bacterial Strains
- One notable finding of the research was a straightforward method to differentiate the strains of Clostridium perfringens. The technique involves using blood agar plates coated with type A antiserum, which reveals the hemolytic patterns of the strains.
- This method highlighted the utility of serotyping – the classification of bacteria based on their reaction to specific antibodies – in differentiating strains of this bacterium and potentially identifying the source of an outbreak, thereby aiding in the prevention and control of enterotoxemia.
Cite This Article
APA
Niilo L.
(1987).
Toxigenic characteristics of Clostridium perfringens type C in enterotoxemia of domestic animals.
Can J Vet Res, 51(2), 224-228.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Domestic
- Bacterial Toxins / biosynthesis
- Calcium-Binding Proteins
- Cattle
- Cattle Diseases / microbiology
- Clostridium Infections / veterinary
- Clostridium perfringens / metabolism
- Enterotoxemia / microbiology
- Hemolysin Proteins
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Swine
- Swine Diseases / microbiology
- Type C Phospholipases
References
This article includes 14 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Seike S, Miyamoto K, Kobayashi K, Takehara M, Nagahama M. Clostridium perfringens Delta-Toxin Induces Rapid Cell Necrosis. PLoS One 2016;11(1):e0147957.
- Savic B, Prodanovic R, Ivetic V, Radanovic O, Bojkovski J. Enteritis associated with Clostridium perfringens type A in 9-month-old calves. Can Vet J 2012 Feb;53(2):174-6.
- Niilo L. Clostridium perfringens Type C Enterotoxemia. Can Vet J 1988 Aug;29(8):658-64.
- Songer JG. Clostridial enteric diseases of domestic animals. Clin Microbiol Rev 1996 Apr;9(2):216-34.
- Netherwood T, Wood JL, Townsend HG, Mumford JA, Chanter N. Foal diarrhoea between 1991 and 1994 in the United Kingdom associated with Clostridium perfringens, rotavirus, Strongyloides westeri and Cryptosporidium spp. Epidemiol Infect 1996 Oct;117(2):375-83.
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