Enterotoxin formation by different toxigenic types of Clostridium perfringens

Abstract

Sixty nine strains of Clostridium perfringens of different toxigenic tpes were investigated for enterotoxin production. Enterotoxin was definitively detected only in strains of types A and C. This is the first report where enterotoxin production has been demonstrated in a toxigenic type other than type A. The enterotoxin positive type C strains were isolated from cases of enteritis necroticans ('pig bel') in New Guinea. The major enterotoxin from type C showed a reaction of complete identity with enterotoxin from type A in immunodiffusion using anti enterotoxin serum prepared against the latter; it induced erythema when injected intradermally into depilated guinea pigs and caused fluid accumulation in the rabbit ileal loop. The results indicate that major enterotoxin from type C was serologically and biologically similar to enterotoxin from type A. In some type C strains, an enterotoxin was detected that showed a reaction of partial serological identity. Spore coat proteins were extracted from 14 strains by alkaline dithiothreitol, and the extracts were assayed for enterotoxin like spore protein. Enterotoxin could be extracted from type A and type C spores, and all positive strains showed a reaction of complete identity in immunodiffusion with enterotoxin obtained from cell extracts of type A. Disc immunoelectrophoresis demonstrated that two distinct components which reacted serologically with anti enterotoxin serum were present in both the cell extract and in extracted spore protein from one type C strain. These distinct components differed in molecular weight.