The effects of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin on rat and rabbit ileum: an electron microscopic study

Intestinal epithelial damage caused by Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin in rats and rabbits was identified by light microscopy and compared at the surface (scanning electron microscopy), and the ultrastructural (transmission electron microscopy) levels. Under the light microscope damage to the epithelial layer of villus tips was clearly evident in cross-sections. Whole tissue viewed under the scanning electron microscope showed comparable tip localization of morpholigic damage in the form of collapsed tips and a dense covering of rounded blebs on the tips. Ulstructuctural observations included partial and sometimes complete disappearance of microvilli structures, budding of the terminal web region into the lumen, and even complete destruction of epithelial cells. These data suggest that C. perfringens enterotoxin attacks the epithelial cells with a preference for cells at the villus tips and causes damage at least in part by altering the cells' apical membranes. This then leads to cellular sloughing, death, and lysing.