Characterization of Clostridium perfringens isolated from mammals and birds from Guwahati city, India

Abstract

Of the 102 samples collected from mammals and birds, both domestic and captive wild, 48 were found to be positive for Clostridium perfringens. Most of the mammal isolates (84.38%) appeared to have been collected from clinically affected animals, while 33.33% of the bird samples were from clinically affected and 21.43% from apparently healthy birds infected with C. perfringens. Isolates revealed high sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin and norfloxacin. Among the isolated C. perfringens, 30 (62.50%) showed DNase production. Hemolytic activity was recorded in 14 (24.16%) of the isolates and 28 (58.33%) showed phospholipase C production. All the phospholipase C positive isolates revealed the presence of cpa gene encoding alpha (α) toxin. Of the 102 samples collected from mammals and birds, both domestic and captive wild, 48 were found to be positive for Clostridium perfringens. Most of the mammal isolates (84.38%) appeared to have been collected from clinically affected animals, while 33.33% of the bird samples were from clinically affected and 21.43% from apparently healthy birds infected with C. perfringens. Isolates revealed high sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin and norfloxacin. Among the isolated C. perfringens, 30 (62.50%) showed DNase production. Hemolytic activity was recorded in 14 (24.16%) of the isolates and 28 (58.33%) showed phospholipase C production. All the phospholipase C positive isolates revealed the presence of cpa gene encoding a toxin. © CEVAP 2012.