IN-VITRO EFFECT OF CLOSTRIDIUM-PERFRINGENS ENTEROTOXIN ON VERO CELLS AND IN-VIVO EFFECTS IN ANIMALS

Clostridium perfringens type B was investigated for enterotoxin produc tion. Enterotoxin was detected in the strain B L 361. The cell extract was purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation and by gel filtration of the extract from sonically disruped cells. This, the two precipitat ion were followed by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. This enterotoxi n preparation was tested in vitro on Vero cells and in vivo on experim ental animals. The enterotoxin induced erythema when injected intrader mally into depilated guinea pigs and produced chronic alterations in t he intestinal system of mice. The cumulative effects of Clostridium pe rfringens enterotoxin on Vero cells inhibited cellular metabolism and induced morphological changes in the cultured cells. These effects wer e more rapidly detected in the Vero cell system (within 30-60 minutes after inoculation).