Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is a prolific, toxin-producing anaerobe causing multiple diseases in humans and animals. One of these toxins is epsilon, a 33 kDa protein produced by Clostridium perfringens (types B and D) that induces fatal enteric disease of goats, sheep and cattle. Epsilon toxin (Etx) belongs to the aerolysin-like toxin family. It contains three distinct domains, is proteolytically-activated and forms oligomeric pores on cell surfaces via a lipid raft-associated protein(s). Vaccination controls Etx-induced disease in the field. However, therapeutic measures are currently lacking. This review initially introduces C. perfringens toxins, subsequently focusing upon the Etx and its biochemistry, disease characteristics in various animals that include laboratory models (in vitro and in vivo), and finally control mechanisms (vaccines and therapeutics).
Highlights
Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobe residing in soil, water as well as the gastrointestinal tracts of various mammals, including humans
C. perfringens has been successively known in the literature as Bacillus aerogenes capsulatus, Bacillus welchii or Clostridium welchii [1,2,3]
Various diseases of animals and humans caused by C. perfringens are linked to protein toxins, and the section succinctly describes the “major” and “minor” toxins produced by this bacterium
Summary
Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobe residing in soil, water as well as the gastrointestinal tracts of various mammals, including humans. This ubiquitous bacillus is one of the most “toxic” of all known bacteria, collectively producing more than 15 different protein toxins/enzymes with diverse modes of action [1,2]. Pathogenic Clostridium species synthesize some of the most potent toxins that include tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins, respectively produced by Clostridium tetani and Clostridium botulinum These bacteria are found in similar environments (i.e., soil) as long-lasting, quiescent spores that await a mammalian host and infection/intoxication opportunity. Various diseases of animals and humans caused by C. perfringens are linked to protein toxins, and the section succinctly describes the “major” and “minor” toxins produced by this bacterium. Epsilon, is this review’s focus as this protein impacts in many ways the veterinary and biodefense fields throughout the world
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