CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS TYPE-A STRAINS CARRYING THE CPB-2 GENE ASSOCIATED TO THE LESIONS IN RABBIT ILEUM

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work was to verify the patogenicity of Clostridium perfringens type-A strains, carrying the CPB-2 gene, that codify the beta-2 toxin production. The rabbit ligated ileal loop model was used, inoculating culture suspensions of C. perfringens type-A CPB-2 carrier strains or its filtrates. The dilatation observed in 19 out of 24 loops receiving innocula from CPB-2 positive strains and in only one out of 12 loops treated with CPB-2 negative innocula constituted a significant statistical difference. There was no statistical difference in the dilatation of loops between using filtrates or bacterial suspensions. In the loops treated with suspensions of CPB-2 positive strains cultures, severe lesions were observed, and for those inoculated with filtrates of the same cultures less severe alterations were observed. In the loops inoculated with culture suspensions or filtrates from a CPB-2 negative strain and in those treated with sterile BHI broth, no histological changes were observed. The C. perfringens biotype-A strains carrying the CPB-2 gene, showed its virulence when inoculated into the rabbit ileum.

KEY WORDS:
Clostridium perfringens type-A; toxins; beta-2; diarrhea; swine.