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Enrichment and Detection of Clostridium perfringens Toxinotypes in Retail Food Samples
Published on: October 18, 2019
Enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens: detection and identification
Kazuaki Miyamoto1, Jihong Li, Bruce A McClane
1Department of Microbiology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, 811–1 Kimiidera, Wakayama 641–0012, Japan. kazupitts@jtw.zaq.ne.jp
Microbes and Environments
|April 17, 2012
Summary
Advances in Clostridium perfringens genetics reveal diverse origins of food poisoning. Understanding enterotoxigenic strains, whether chromosomal or plasmid-borne, aids in preventing gastrointestinal disease outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Food Safety
Background:
- Enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens (CPE) causes human gastrointestinal diseases.
- Understanding the genetic basis of CPE is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic diversity of CPE, focusing on the cpe gene locus.
- To differentiate between chromosomal and plasmid-borne cpe strains.
- To explore the epidemiological significance of CPE in foodborne outbreaks and environmental samples.
Main Methods:
- Whole genome sequencing of CPE strains.
- Sequencing of cpe-carrying plasmids.
- Sequence-based PCR genotyping of the cpe locus.
- Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST).
Main Results:
- Identified both chromosomal and plasmid-borne cpe type A strains in food, humans, and the environment.
- Demonstrated that environmental CPE strains predominantly carry the cpe gene on plasmids.
- Revealed significant diversity in cpe loci among different C. perfringens types (A, C, D, E).
- Chromosomal cpe strains linked to food poisoning exhibit distinct genetic traits, including highly heat-resistant spores.
Conclusions:
- Genetic analysis provides new insights into the sources and characteristics of CPE.
- Distinguishing between chromosomal and plasmid cpe is important for understanding outbreak dynamics.
- Further research will enhance the prevention of CPE-related food poisoning and human diseases.
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