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Enrichment and Detection of Clostridium perfringens Toxinotypes in Retail Food Samples
08:00

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[Toxins of Clostridium perfringens]

W E Morris1, M E Fernández-Miyakawa

  • 1Instituto de Patobiología, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Los Reseros y Las Cabañas, Buenos Aires, Argentina. wmorris@cnia.inta.gov.ar

Revista Argentina De Microbiologia
|January 21, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Clostridium perfringens is a common environmental bacterium that can cause serious diseases in both animals and humans. This review updates knowledge on its intestinal pathology, focusing on key toxins.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pathogen Research
  • Bacterial Genetics

Context:

  • Clostridium perfringens is a ubiquitous, anaerobic, gram-positive, spore-forming bacillus.
  • It is found in soil, water, and the intestinal flora of animals and humans.
  • While often commensal, it acts as an opportunistic pathogen causing significant veterinary and human diseases.

Purpose:

  • To review and update the principal aspects of Clostridium perfringens intestinal pathology.
  • To focus on toxins with major current medical relevance.
  • To consolidate current knowledge for researchers and clinicians.

Summary:

  • This review details the intestinal pathology of Clostridium perfringens, an opportunistic pathogen.
  • It highlights the roles of various toxins in diseases like gas gangrene and food poisoning.
  • Advances in molecular biology have deepened our understanding of C. perfringens biology and pathogenesis.

Impact:

  • Provides an updated resource on Clostridium perfringens intestinal pathology.
  • Enhances understanding of toxin-mediated diseases caused by this bacterium.
  • Supports ongoing research and clinical management of C. perfringens infections.

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