Medycyna Wet. 64 (3), 253-256, 2008
Truszczyński M., Pejsak Z.
Pig diseases caused by sporing clostridia
Three species of the genus Clostridium play a significant role in causing pig diseases. These are: Clostridium (C.) perfringens type-C, C. perfringens type-A and C. difficile. The most important is C. perfringens type-C which is the etiological agent of infectious, necrotic enteritis of young piglets, causing necrosis of the mucosa in the small intestine and sometimes also in the cecum and proximal portion of the colon. The beta-toxin, also called CPB, produced by this microorganism is the main factor in causing in the mentioned tissue damage and death, usually in a high percentage of the newly born piglets. Differences in the pathogenesis and clinical picture between enteric disease caused by the type C and type A of C. perfringens are presented. The A-type produces the alpha toxin also called the CPA-toxin but not the CPB-toxin. The discovery of CPA in the intestinal contents of the small intestine, in the absence of other enteric pathogens, is the most reliable criterion for the diagnosis of C. perfringens, type A infection. It is supported by demonstrating the production by the isolated C. perfringens type-A of the beta 2 (CPB2) toxin. C. difficile is the etiological agent of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD). This disease is observed in piglets 1-7 days of age and is characterized by scour, rarely accompanied by respiratory symptoms. Essential in the pathogenesis are toxins A (TcdA) and B (TcdB). Their demonstration in the feces and intestinal content is the basis for the diagnosis of CDAD.
Keywords: pigs, C. perfringens C. difficille