Detection by polymerase chain reaction of Clostridium perfringens producing epsilon toxin in faeces and in gastrointestinal contents of goats.
A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify the gene-encoding epsilon toxin production in Clostridium perfringens types B and D in faeces and in gastrointestinal contents of goats. The samples were cultured in thioglycollate broth and centrifuged. The upper layer of the pellet was used as a template for PCR, obviating the need for DNA extraction. This technique specifically differentiated Cl. perfringens types B and D from Cl. perfringens types A and C and from Escherichia coli. When used to identify Cl. perfringens type D in samples artificially spiked with the micro-organism, the PCR detected as few as 1.4 x 10(2) cfu g-1 of sample. Gastrointestinal contents and faeces were collected from 20 goats at slaughter and processed by PCR. Several positive results were obtained from the first five goats that were slaughtered and sampled a few days after their arrival at the abattoir, but only a few samples gave positive results during the following weeks, after the goats had been fed a concentrated ration containing monensin. A possible role of this drug in control of enterotoxaemia is suggested.
Uzal
F A
FA
Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Plumb
J J
JJ
Blackall
L L
LL
O'Boyle
D
D
Kelly
W R
WR
D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000382:microbiology*; D006041:Goats / Q000382:microbiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; C039811:Clostridium perfringens epsilon-toxin