Typing Toxigenic Clostridium perfringens Strains from the Ruminants of Yazd Province by Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

Background: Anaerobic bacterial infections, especially enterotoxemia, are common ruminant disorders. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the toxigenic isolates of Clostridium perfringens in the ruminants of Yazd province. Materials and Methods: In total, 485 fecal and intestinal samples were obtained and analyzed for typing C. perfringens toxovars by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Only 179 bacterial strains passed the biochemical tests and 87 C. perfringens strains were confirmed by multiplex PCR. Results: Interestingly, the predominant C. perfringens toxovar was type A (89.7%), while type D (9.2%) was also identified as a pathogen in the ruminants of Yazd province. Conclusions: Detection of toxigenic C. perfringens isolates with multiplex PCR was performed for the first time in this field. The multiplex PCR used in this study provides a useful and reliable tool for C. perfringens genotyping in routine veterinary diagnostics,a nd epidemiological studies of the prevalent types of C. perfringens in Iran are possible by this technique. Genotyping of C. perfringens is recommended before starting vaccination programs.