Background and Aim : Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) belongs to the family ofClostridiaceae and produces a wide range of toxins (four major and a variety of minor toxins). C.perfringens is divided into five toxinotypes (A-E), according to the presence and combination ofthe four major toxins: alpha (CPA), beta (CPB), epsilon (ETX), and iota (ITXA and ITXB). Thistraditional classification has been changed and updated toxinotyping scheme that suggestedstrains, producing CPA-toxin, as well as CPE are determined as type F, whereas those producingCPA and NetB toxins are categorized as type G.Methods : ۲۲, ۱۹, ۲۲, and ۲۱
C. perfringens isolates that were designated as toxinotype A, B, C,and D, respectively that were identified by multiplex
PCR amplifying multiple target genesencoding
C. perfringens alpha, beta, epsilon, and iota toxins used in this research. isolates wereprovided by the microbial archive of Razi Institute (south-east branch). All isolates smeared onblood agar medium containing ۵% defibrinated sheep blood in anaerobic condition then examinedwith single
PCR assay to identify the cpe, and netB genes by using two pairs of specific primers.PCR reaction mixture was done in a final ۲۵ μl reaction volumes, amplified bands were inspectedunder a UV transilluminator and photographed using the gel imaging system.Results : Results showed that cpe
gene was identified in ۲۹ out of ۸۴ (۳۵%) which was higher intype A (۶۸%) than the others. while it was not detected in any of type B isolates and the netB genewas not found in none of studied isolates. Based on the results, the first
toxin types of isolateschanged. Accordingly, ۱۴ cpe positive isolates that were primarily classified into type A, willcategorize as type F.Conclusion : Because certain toxins are associated with specific hosts and diseases the accuratetyping of
C. perfringens isolates and classification into ۷
toxin types is important for epidemiologyand diagnosis and to differentiate the strains involved in enteric infection.