Biochemical differentiation between enterotoxigenic heat-sensitive and heat-resistant Clostridium perfringens strains

Some biochemical characteristics of 37 enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens strains isolated from human feces, ground beef, and soil samples by heat-selection methods and of two NCTC strains were studied. Two different biochemical patterns closely related to the heat resistance of the strains were found. The strains placed into group 1 were trehalose, inositol, and sorbitol negative and synthesized heat-resistant spores, while those placed into group 2 were trehalose and inositol positive and synthesized heat-sensitive spores. Sorbitol fermentation was variable among the strains of this last group. The strains of group 1 were more cellobiose, melibiose, and salicin fermentative than those of group 2. Only the strains placed into group 2 synthesized toxins of sufficient levels for typing. In spite of having been isolated by mild heat treatment of the specimens, two strains showed the same biochemical and toxigenic characteristics of the strains of group 1. The heating of these two strains did not modify their characteristics. We conclude that enterotoxigenic C. perfringens strains showing the two different toxigenic and biochemical patterns are present in the human gut, ground beef, and, probably, in soil. These strains may be differentiated on the basis of their capacity to produce acid from trehalose, inositol, and sorbitol, heat resistance of the spores and grade of toxigenicity. The heat-selection methods used for isolation of C. perfringens strains from different sources exerted a selection of strains from one or another group, but had no influence on their toxigenic and biochemical properties.