Skip to main content
PMC home page
Infection and Immunity logoLink to Infection and Immunity
. 1971 Jan;3(1):100–106. doi: 10.1128/iai.3.1.100-106.1971

Mechanism of Action of the Enteropathogenic Factor of Clostridium perfringens Type A

L Niilo 1
PMCID: PMC416113  PMID: 16557924

Abstract

Cell extract of an enteropathogenic strain of Clostridium perfringens type A was administered intravenously to lambs, rabbits, and guinea pigs. Lambs developed transitory diarrhea, lacrimation, salivation, nasal discharge, lassitude, and dyspnea in 1 to 5 hr after inoculation. Large doses of the inoculum caused rapid onset of the clinical signs and subsequent death. Examination of dead animals revealed intensely hyperemic small intestinal mucosa and some congestion in the liver, lungs, spleen, and kidneys. Rabbits showed excessive salivation, frequent defecation, tranquility, and dyspnea, followed by death. Guinea pigs became weak and died in 15 min to 7 hr. Congestion was evident in lungs, liver, spleen, and in the small intestine. In lambs and guinea pigs tested, atropine and epinephrine alleviated the clinical signs. Intradermally injected cell extract caused an immediate increase in capillary permeability and subsequent erythematous reaction without necrosis in the skin of guinea pigs. It is hypothesized that in the enteric infection C. perfringens enteropathogenic factor acts on the small intestine causing increased capillary permeability, vasodilation, and increased intestinal motility.

Full text

PDF
100

Images in this article

103Image
on p.103
103Image
on p.103
104Image
on p.104
104Image
on p.104
105Image
on p.105

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Craig J. P. A permeability factor (toxin) found in cholera stools and culture filtrates and its neutralization by convalescent cholera sera. Nature. 1965 Aug 7;207(997):614–616. doi: 10.1038/207614a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Craig J. P. Some observations on the neutralization of cholera vascular permeability factor in vivo. J Infect Dis. 1970 May;121(Suppl):100+–100+. doi: 10.1093/infdis/121.supplement.s100. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. DE S. N., CHATTERJE D. N. An experimental study of the mechanism of action of Vibriod cholerae on the intestinal mucous membrane. J Pathol Bacteriol. 1953 Oct;66(2):559–562. doi: 10.1002/path.1700660228. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Duncan C. L., Strong D. H. Experimental production of diarrhea in rabbits with Clostridium perfringens. Can J Microbiol. 1969 Jul;15(7):765–770. doi: 10.1139/m69-134. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Duncan C. L., Strong D. H. Ileal loop fluid accumulation and production of diarrhea in rabbits by cell-free products of Clostridium perfringens. J Bacteriol. 1969 Oct;100(1):86–94. doi: 10.1128/jb.100.1.86-94.1969. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Duncan C. L., Strong D. H. Improved medium for sporulation of Clostridium perfringens. Appl Microbiol. 1968 Jan;16(1):82–89. doi: 10.1128/am.16.1.82-89.1968. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Duncan C. L., Sugiyama H., Strong D. H. Rabbit ileal loop response to strains of Clostridium perfringens. J Bacteriol. 1968 May;95(5):1560–1566. doi: 10.1128/jb.95.5.1560-1566.1968. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Hauschild A. H., Niilo L., Dorward W. J. Clostridium perfringens type A infection of ligated intestinal loops in lambs. Appl Microbiol. 1968 Aug;16(8):1235–1239. doi: 10.1128/am.16.8.1235-1239.1968. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Hauschild A. H., Niilo L., Dorward W. J. Enteropathogenic factors of food-poisoning Clostridium perfringens type A. Can J Microbiol. 1970 May;16(5):331–338. doi: 10.1139/m70-059. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Hauschild A. H., Niilo L., Dorward W. J. Experimental enteritis with food poisoning and classical strains of Clostridium perfringens type A in lambs. J Infect Dis. 1967 Dec;117(5):379–386. doi: 10.1093/infdis/117.5.379. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Hauschild A. H., Niilo L., Dorward W. J. Response of ligated intestinal loops in lambs to an enteropathogenic factor of Clostridium perfringens type A. Can J Microbiol. 1970 May;16(5):339–343. doi: 10.1139/m70-060. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Mosley W. H., Aziz K. M. Serological evidence for the identity of the vascular permeability factor and ileal loop toxin of Vibrio cholerae. J Infect Dis. 1970 Mar;121(3):243–250. doi: 10.1093/infdis/121.3.243. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. NIILO L. BOVINE "ENTEROTOXEMIA". 3. FACTORS AFFECTING THE STABILITY OF THE TOXINS OF CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS TYPES A, C AND D. Can Vet J. 1965 Feb;6(2):38–42. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Infection and Immunity are provided here courtesy of American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

RESOURCES