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Atypical cpb2 genes, encoding beta2-toxin in Clostridium perfringens isolates of nonporcine origin

B Helen Jost1, Stephen J Billington, Hien T Trinh

  • 1Department of Veterinary Science and Microbiology, University of Arizona, 1117 East Lowell St., Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. jost@u.arizona.edu

Infection and Immunity
|December 25, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Atypical Clostridium perfringens beta2-toxin genes are common in non-porcine isolates but often unexpressed due to mutations. This suggests beta2-toxin

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Beta2-toxin, encoded by cpb2, is linked to Clostridium perfringens enteritis.
  • Expression of cpb2 genes varies among C. perfringens isolates, particularly non-porcine ones.
  • Understanding beta2-toxin's role in enteritis across different animal species requires investigating gene variations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of atypical cpb2 genes in Clostridium perfringens.
  • To determine the expression status of beta2-toxin from atypical cpb2 genes.
  • To elucidate the role of beta2-toxin in enteritis pathogenesis in pigs versus other animals.

Main Methods:

  • Nucleotide sequencing was used to identify and compare atypical and consensus cpb2 genes.
  • DNA and protein sequence identities/similarities were analyzed between atypical and consensus beta2-toxins.
  • Prevalence of atypical cpb2 genes was assessed in porcine and non-porcine C. perfringens isolates.

Main Results:

  • Atypical cpb2 genes, with low DNA identity to consensus, were found in 88.5% of non-porcine isolates but rarely in porcine isolates.
  • Atypical beta2-toxin showed significantly lower sequence identity and similarity to consensus beta2-toxin.
  • Non-expressed beta2-toxin was observed in most non-porcine isolates carrying atypical cpb2, often due to frameshift mutations in consensus cpb2 genes.

Conclusions:

  • Beta2-toxin plays a significant role in neonatal pig enteritis, supported by its presence in porcine isolates.
  • The identification of non-expressed atypical cpb2 genes in non-porcine isolates questions beta2-toxin's universal role in enteritis across species.
  • Further research is needed to understand the pathogenesis of enteritis in animals infected with C. perfringens strains carrying non-expressed beta2-toxin genes.

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