Detection of Clostridium perfringens types through genetic profiling and mouse neutralisation test.

The aim of this study was to detect the types of C. perfringens using PCR and mouse neutralisation test (MNT) and find the genetic profile of virulence factors tpeL and netB isolated from animal samples in Iran. For this purpose, 46 C. perfringens isolates were tested using MNT. Detection was also performed using 16S rRNA-PCR and multiplex PCR for alpha, beta, epsilon and iota toxins. For tpeL and netB gene profiling, separate PCR experiments were carried out. MNT detected that all isolates were C. perfringens type A. The same results were obtained in 16SrRNA-PCR and multiplex-PCR. Based on the obtained results, the molecular test was 100% consistent with MNT. Samples were positive for tpeL and netB genes in 52.1% and 60.8% isolates, respectively. Overall, four genetic virulence factor profiles were found in C. perfringens type A isolates.