Enterotoxaemia

Enterotoxaemias are infections caused by the anaerobic, spore-forming and rod-shaped organism Clostridium perfringens. The organisms is widely distributed in the soil and the alimentary tract of animals, and is characterized by its ability to produce potent exotoxins, some of which are responsible for specific enterotoxaemias. Of the six types (A to E), only B, C and D are important. However, Type A, although present in the gut of many clinically normal animals, has been suspected as the cause of haemorrhagic enteritis in mature and young cattle, horses and sheep.