Real-Time PCR for direct detection of Clostridium perfringens from horse with enterocolitis infection

Abstract

Clostridium perfringens is one of the most important causative agents of enterocolitis infection in horses. This bacterium capable to produce potential enterotoxin that cause  diarrhea in  horses. This study was aimed to molecular identification of Clostridium perfringens from horses infected by diarrhea by using Real-Time PCR technique. The  Clostridium perfringens type C  was  identified  by using specific primers for enterotoxin (CPE) gene that designed in this study using NCBI-Genbank data base (Genbank code: GQ225719.1)  and primer3 plus for primer design. The results show that prevalence of infection by     Clostridium perfringens type C was (40%)  of 12 positive samples out of 30 fecal samples. This study  demonstrated that the direct Real-Time PCR technique is a highly specific and  rapid tool for the detection Clostridium perfringens.