Clostridium Perfringens Enterotoxin

Characterization

Clostridium Perfringens is an anaerobic, Gram positive bacterium widely found in soil and the intestinal tract of vertebrates. It is responsible for three clinical syndromes, including gas gangrene (Figure 1), enteritis necroticans (pig-bel), and food poisoning. At least 12 toxins are produced by C. perfringens, including 4 lethal toxins, hemolysins, proteases, neuraminidase, and enterotoxin. The ability of individual strains to produce the 4 lethal toxins forms the basis for a classifications scheme that divides the species into five types; A to E. Enterotoxin is produced by Type A strains, and is the primary mediator of C. perfringens food-poisoning.