DETECTION BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION OF CLOSTRIDIUM-PERFRINGENS PRODUCING EPSILON-TOXIN IN FECES AND IN GASTROINTESTINAL CONTENTS OF GOATS

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify the gene-encodi ng epsilon toxin production in Clostridium perfringens types B and D i n faeces and in gastrointestinal contents of goats. The samples were c ultured in thioglycollate broth and centrifuged. The upper layer of th e pellet was used as a template for PCR, obviating the need for DNA ex traction. This technique specifically differentiated CI. perfringens t ypes B and D from CI. perfringens types A and C and from Escherichia c oli. When used to identify CI. perfringens type D in samples artificia lly spiked with the micro-organism, the PCR detected as few as 1.4 x 1 0(2) cfu g(-1) of sample. Gastrointestinal contents and faeces were co llected from 20 goats at slaughter and processed by PCR. Several posit ive results were obtained from the first five goats that were slaughte red and sampled a few days after their arrival at the abattoir, but on ly a few samples gave positive results during the following weeks, aft er the goats had been fed a concentrated ration containing monensin. A possible role of this drug in control of enterotoxaemia is suggested.