Occurrence of Clostridium perfringens beta2-toxin amongst animals, determined using genotyping and subtyping PCR assays.
Clostridium perfringens isolates are currently classified into one of five biotypes on the basis of the differential production of alpha-, beta-, epsilon- and iota-toxins. Different biotypes are associated with different diseases of man and animals. In this study a multiple PCR assay was developed to detect the genes encoding these toxins. In addition, detection of the genes encoding the C. perfringens enterotoxin and beta2-toxin allowed subtyping of the bacteria. C. perfringens isolates taken from a variety of animals, including foals, piglets or lambs, were genotyped using this assay. Most of the isolates were found to be genotype A and the gene encoding beta2-toxin [corrected] was present in 50% of the isolates genotyped. A significant association between C. perfringens possessing the beta2-toxin gene and diarrhoea in piglets was identified, suggesting that beta2-toxin may play a key role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Garmory
H S
HS
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, CBD Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire.
Chanter
N
N
French
N P
NP
Bueschel
D
D
Songer
J G
JG
Titball
R W
RW
D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000235:genetics*; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D003015:Clostridium Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003016:Clostridium perfringens / Q000235:genetics*; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006736:Horses; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012756:Sheep; D013552:Swine
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins