The stability of Clostridium perfringens type D epsilon toxin in intestinal contents in vitro

Authors: Gardner DE
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 20, Issue 9, pp 167-168, Sep 1972
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Livestock
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Infectious disease, Disease/defect, Diagnostic procedures
Article class: Correspondence

---

Abstract: In the past it has been recommended that chloroform be added to samples of ileal contents before sending them for laboratory confirmation of a field diagnosis of enterotoxaemia. The purpose of the chloroform was to preserve the toxicity of the sample and its use was apparently based on Oxer`s (1932) procedure. Oxer added chloroform to intestinal contents from cases of experimentally induced enterotoxaemia to ensure that there was no increase in the toxicity of the sample after it had been removed from the animal. Niilo (1965) investigated the persistence of toxicity of culture filtrates of Clostridium perfringens types A, C and D, added to intestinal contents of normal animals, and showed that one of the most important factors in maintaining the toxicity of Cl. perfringens type D filtrates was adequate cooling…

---