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Updated: Aug 28, 2025
Enrichment and Detection of Clostridium perfringens Toxinotypes in Retail Food Samples
Published on: October 18, 2019
Prevalence, molecular characterization, and antimicrobial resistance profile of Clostridium perfringens from India: A
Jay Prakash Yadav1, Simranpreet Kaur2, Pankaj Dhaka2
1Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Rampura Phul, Bathinda, 151103, India.
Abstract:
Clostridium perfringens is one of the most important foodborne pathogens that causes histotoxic diseases and intestinal infections in both humans and animals. The present scoping review has been designed to analyze the literature published during 2000-2021 from India on the prevalence, molecular characterization, and antimicrobial resistance profile of C. perfringens isolates recovered from humans, animals, animal-based foods, and associated environmental samples. The peer-reviewed articles retrieved from four electronic databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science) were assessed using PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A total of 32 studies from India were selected on the basis of their relevance and inclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of C. perfringens among domestic animals having history of clinical symptoms and among healthy animals was found to be 65.8% (508/772) and 42.8% (493/1152), respectively. The pathogen was also detected in clinically affected wild animals (75%), healthy wild animals (35.4%), and captive birds (24.5%). The detection of C. perfringens among poultry having necrotic enteritis and among healthy birds was found to be 66.8% (321/480) and 25.6% (80/312), respectively. The detection of pathogen among animal-based foods (i.e., meat, milk, and fish and their products) and environmental samples depicted a prevalence of 20.8% (325/1562) and 30.2% (23/76), respectively. However, the prevalence of C. perfringens among humans having history of diarrhea and among healthy humans was found to be 25% (70/280) and 23.2% (36/155), respectively. The genotyping of C. perfringens isolates revealed that toxin type A was found to be the most prevalent genotype. Along with the alpha toxin gene (cpa), beta (cpb), epsilon (etx), iota (itx), enterotoxin (cpe), beta-2 toxin (cpb2), and NetB (netB) toxins were also detected in different combinations. Antimicrobial resistance profile of C. perfringens isolates recovered from different sources demonstrated that the highest resistance was detected against sulphonamides (76.8%) and tetracycline (41.3%) by phenotypic and genotypic detection methods, respectively. Comprehensive scientific studies covering different geographical areas at the human-animal-environment interface are crucial to generalize the real magnitude of C. perfringens-associated problem in India and for establishing a reliable database.
Insights
Clostridium perfringens is a significant foodborne pathogen in India. This review highlights its prevalence in humans and animals, with toxin type A being most common and high resistance to sulfonamides.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Food Safety
- Public Health
Background:
- Clostridium perfringens is a major cause of histotoxic diseases and intestinal infections in humans and animals.
- Understanding its prevalence and characteristics in India is crucial for public health and animal welfare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a scoping review of literature from India (2000-2021) on Clostridium perfringens.
- To analyze the prevalence, molecular characteristics, and antimicrobial resistance of C. perfringens isolates.
- To assess isolates from human, animal, food, and environmental sources.
Main Methods:
- Scoping review of peer-reviewed articles from 2000-2021.
- Literature search conducted across Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science.
- Studies selected based on PRISMA-ScR guidelines and inclusion criteria, totaling 32 studies from India.
Main Results:
- Prevalence varied: domestic animals (65.8% symptomatic, 42.8% healthy), wild animals (75% symptomatic, 35.4% healthy), poultry (66.8% necrotic enteritis, 25.6% healthy).
- Detected in animal-based foods (20.8%) and environmental samples (30.2%). Human prevalence: 25% with diarrhea, 23.2% healthy.
- Toxin type A was most prevalent; alpha, beta, epsilon, iota, enterotoxin, beta-2, and NetB genes detected.
- Highest antimicrobial resistance observed against sulfonamides (76.8%) and tetracycline (41.3%).
Conclusions:
- Clostridium perfringens is widely prevalent across various sources in India.
- Molecular characterization reveals diverse toxin gene profiles.
- Significant antimicrobial resistance, particularly to sulfonamides and tetracycline, is a concern.
- Further comprehensive studies are needed to establish a robust database and understand the full impact.
