Analysis of protection afforded by a Clostridium perfringens α-toxoid against heterologous clostridial phospholipases C

Abstract The major virulence determinant in clostridial myonecrosis caused by Clostridium perfringens is a phospholipase C (PLC), the α -toxin. Previously, mice have been protected against challenge with heterologous α -toxin or Clostridium perfringens spores by immunisation with the C-domain (known as Cpa 247–370 or α -toxoid) of the α -toxin. In this study, we have determined the ability of the α -toxoid to protect against the lethal effects of a divergent C. perfringens α -toxin and against the PLCs of C. absonum or C. bifermentans , species which have been isolated from cases of clostridial myonecrosis. Protection against the C. perfringens α -toxin variant, the C. absonum α -toxin or the C. bifermentans PLC was elicited by immunisation with the α -toxoid in vivo .