A new criterion for implicating Clostridium perfringens as the cause of food poisoning

V. R. Dowell, M. J. Torres-Anjel, H. P. Riemann, M. Merson, D. Whaley, G. Darland

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

For the first time the enterotoxin of Clostridium perfringens type A (CPE) was demonstrated in stools from patients suffering from the specific type of 'food poisoning'. Sensitivity was 100% and specificity 94% vs. diarrhea reporting. The only person in which the CPE was demonstrated without his reporting diarrhea, had consumed implicated food; and the suspect strain, Hobb's type 1, was isolated from him. The samples were studied in a 'blind' fashion, during an outbreak epidemiologically and bacteriologically assigned to C. perfringens. The methodology was based on reversed, passive, hemagglutination. Glutaraldehyde was both the fixative as well as Y globulin sensitizer (from anti CPE rabbit serum), upon sheep red blood cells. The simplicity of the test will allow for detection of CPE in stools from patients at local public health laboratories of any capacity. Protocols to be followed in further outbreaks are recommended

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)137-142
Number of pages6
JournalRevista Latinoamericana de Microbiologia
Volume17
Issue number3
StatePublished - 1975

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • General Veterinary
  • Microbiology (medical)

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