Clostridium perfringens type F infections of animals

Type F isolates are defined as those Clostridium perfringens carrying the genes encoding alpha toxin and C. perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) but lacking the genes encoding beta toxin, epsilon toxin, iota toxin, or NetB toxin. The ability of type F strains to produce CPE could be relevant for causing animal disease since experimental studies have shown that, besides humans, purified CPE induces intestinal pathology in a wide range of nonhuman mammalian species. However, the involvement of enterotoxin-producing C. perfringens isolates, including type F strains, in nonhuman animal disease remains murky for reasons described in this chapter. Interestingly, some type F isolates also produce a novel pore-forming toxin designated as NetF. NetF-producing strains are strongly associated with canine acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome and foal necrotizing enteritis. Acute canine hemorrhagic gastroenteritis may occur in any breed and at any age, but small-breed dogs are over-represented, as are dogs aged 2–4 years. Most foals with NetF-positive C. perfringens -associated enterocolitis are younger than six days of age, with no breed or gender predisposition. This chapter mainly discusses the etiology, epidemiology and clinical findings, and diagnosis of NetF-associated necrotizing enteritis of foals and canine hemorrhagic gastroenteritis.