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Enrichment and Detection of Clostridium perfringens Toxinotypes in Retail Food Samples
Published on: October 18, 2019
Mechanisms of Action and Cell Death Associated with Clostridium perfringens Toxins
Mauricio A Navarro1, Bruce A McClane2, Francisco A Uzal3
1California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, San Bernardino Branch, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino, CA 92408, USA. mnavarrob@ucdavis.edu.
Abstract:
Clostridium perfringens uses its large arsenal of protein toxins to produce histotoxic, neurologic and intestinal infections in humans and animals. The major toxins involved in diseases are alpha (CPA), beta (CPB), epsilon (ETX), iota (ITX), enterotoxin (CPE), and necrotic B-like (NetB) toxins. CPA is the main virulence factor involved in gas gangrene in humans, whereas its role in animal diseases is limited and controversial. CPB is responsible for necrotizing enteritis and enterotoxemia, mostly in neonatal individuals of many animal species, including humans. ETX is the main toxin involved in enterotoxemia of sheep and goats. ITX has been implicated in cases of enteritis in rabbits and other animal species; however, its specific role in causing disease has not been proved. CPE is responsible for human food-poisoning and non-foodborne C. perfringens-mediated diarrhea. NetB is the cause of necrotic enteritis in chickens. In most cases, host⁻toxin interaction starts on the plasma membrane of target cells via specific receptors, resulting in the activation of intracellular pathways with a variety of effects, commonly including cell death. In general, the molecular mechanisms of cell death associated with C. perfringens toxins involve features of apoptosis, necrosis and/or necroptosis.
Insights
Clostridium perfringens toxins cause various infections. This study details major toxins like alpha toxin and enterotoxin (CPE), their roles in diseases, and cell death mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Toxicology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Clostridium perfringens produces diverse protein toxins.
- These toxins cause histotoxic, neurologic, and intestinal infections in humans and animals.
- Key toxins include alpha (CPA), beta (CPB), epsilon (ETX), iota (ITX), enterotoxin (CPE), and NetB.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the roles of major Clostridium perfringens toxins in human and animal diseases.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of host-toxin interactions and resulting cell death.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Clostridium perfringens toxins and their associated diseases.
- Analysis of host-toxin interactions at the cellular level.
- Examination of molecular mechanisms of cell death.
Main Results:
- CPA is linked to gas gangrene in humans; CPB causes necrotizing enteritis.
- ETX is key in sheep/goat enterotoxemia; CPE causes human food poisoning.
- NetB is responsible for necrotic enteritis in chickens.
Conclusions:
- Clostridium perfringens toxins initiate disease via host cell plasma membrane interactions.
- Toxin-induced cell death involves apoptosis, necrosis, and/or necroptosis.
- Understanding these toxins is crucial for disease prevention and treatment.
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