TABLE 2.

Properties of the key C. perfringens toxins^c

Toxin	Locationa	Molecular mass (kDa)	LD50b (mice)	Biological activity(ies)	Reaction to trypsin	Action(s)
CPA	C	43	3 μg	Necrotizing, hemolytic, contraction of smooth muscle	Susceptible	Phospholipase C; activates host cell signaling
CPB	P	35	<400 ng	Dermonecrosis, edema, enterotoxic	Susceptible	Pore former
ETX	P	34	100 ng	Dermonecrosis, edema, contraction of smooth muscle	Activation required	Pore former
ITX	P	Ia, 48; Ib, 72	40 μg	Necrotizing	Activation required	ADP-ribosylating action
PFO	C	54	15 μg	Necrotizing	Susceptible	Pore former
CPE	C/P	35	81 μg	Erythema, enterotoxic	Activation but not required	Pore former
CPB2	P	28	160 μg	Dermonecrosis, edema, enterotoxic	Susceptible	?
TpeL	P	191	600 μg	?	?	Glycosylates Ras
NetB	P	33	?	Hemolytic	?	Pore former

^aC, chromosomal; P, plasmid (13–16, 18, 23, 25–27).

^bPer kilogram of mouse after intravenous injection (10, 28, 29).

^cQuestion marks indicate a lack of information on the relevant toxin property.