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Enrichment and Detection of Clostridium perfringens Toxinotypes in Retail Food Samples
Published on: October 18, 2019
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Recent insights into Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin.
Masahiro Nagahama1, Sadayuki Ochi2, Masataka Oda3
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima Bunri University, Yamashiro-cho 770-8514, Tokushima, Japan. nagahama@ph.bunri-u.ac.jp.
Toxins
|February 6, 2015
Summary
Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin causes severe intestinal diseases by forming pores in cell membranes. This review details its pathogenic role and biological characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Clostridium perfringens beta-toxin is a significant virulence factor.
- It is a pore-forming toxin (PFT) responsible for necrotizing enterocolitis and enterotoxemia.
- Previous studies established its pathogenic role in various animal models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of C. perfringens type C virulence.
- To consolidate knowledge on the characterization, biological features, and structure-function of beta-toxin.
- To highlight the toxin's mechanism of action and cytotoxic effects.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental investigations using piglet, rabbit, and mouse models.
- Analysis of studies on HL-60 cell responses to beta-toxin.
- Examination of research on pore formation in lipid raft microdomains.
Main Results:
- Beta-toxin is a critical pathogenic factor in C. perfringens infections.
- The toxin induces swelling and disruption of sensitive cells like HL-60.
- Functional pore formation occurs within lipid raft microdomains of target cells.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress has been made in understanding beta-toxin's biological features, mechanism, and structure-function.
- Further comprehension of beta-toxin is crucial for addressing C. perfringens-associated diseases.
- This review synthesizes current knowledge on beta-toxin's virulence and characteristics.
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