Figure 5. Deoxynivalenol predisposes for C. perfringens induced necrotic enteritis.

DON decreased villus height and reduced transepithelial electrical resistance (1), leading to a decreased absorption and digestion of dietary nutrients; and an increased intestinal barrier permeability, respectively. Taken together with an increased intestinal protein level, these results suggest an impaired nutrient uptake (2) and leakage of plasma amino acids (3) into the intestinal lumen, providing the necessary growth substrate for C. pefringens proliferation (4). Proliferation of virulent (netB positive) C. perfringens induces necrotic enteritis (5).