PCR detection of Clostridium perfringens type D in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of goats and sheep

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify the genes encoding t he alpha, epsilon and beta toxins of Clostridium perfringens in formalin-fi xed, paraffin-embedded intestinal tissues of goats and sheep. When pure cul tures of CI, perfringens types B and D were used as control templates in th e PCR, products of the following sizes were observed on the agarose gel: 24 7 bp (alpha primers), 1025 bp (beta primers) and 403 bp (epsilon primers). When used to identify CI. perfringens type D in formalin-fixed, paraffin-em bedded intestinal tissues of goats and sheep, the PCR technique resulted in the detection of this micro-organism in 11 out of 13 samples known to be i nfected with CI. perfringens. No false positive results were obtained when 13 culturally negative samples were analysed by the PCR technique.