Production and purification of Clostridium perfringens type D epsilon toxin and IgY antitoxin.

The aim of this study was to purify Clostridium perfringens type D epsilon toxin and produce and purify anti-epsilon chicken immunoglobulin Y (IgY). A single-step ion exchange chromatography resulted in a high-yield and high-purity toxin, while ion exchange chromatography followed by gel filtration resulted in the highest purity of the toxin, but at a lower yield. Purified and inactivated epsilon toxin were then administered in chickens via four inoculations and IgY was obtained at a high purity and yield, with an antibody titer of 50 IU/mL and high levels of avidity (73.2%). In summary, C. perfringens type D epsilon toxin and chicken anti-epsilon IgY were successfully produced and purified, and may be used for the diagnosis of enterotoxemia caused by the epsilon toxin, as well as in potency tests of existing and future vaccines against enterotoxemia.

Botulism in non-ruminants in Brazil / Botulismo em não ruminantes no Brasil

ABSTRACT: Botulism is an intoxication caused by the ingestion of neurotoxins secreted by Clostridium botulinum and characterized by progressive flaccid symmetrical paralysis. Among non-ruminant animals, avian species and dogs are the most commonly affected by botulism, while horses and pigs are less-commonly diagnosed with the disease. Despite the importance of this disease in animals, the Brazilian literature only includes case studies and outbreak descriptions. The aim of this study was to review the main features and to provide recent data on the occurrence of botulism in non-ruminants in Brazil.

RESUMO: O botulismo é uma intoxicação causada pela ingestão das neurotoxinas secretadas por Clostridium botulinum e caracterizada por uma paralisia flácida simétrica progressiva. Entre os animais não ruminantes, aves e cães são os mais comumente afetados, enquanto equinos e suínos são esporadicamente diagnosticados com a doença. Apesar da reconhecida importância dessa doença nos animais, a literatura brasileira baseia-se apenas em relatos de casos e descrições de surtos. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo revisar a ocorrência e principais característicasdo botulismo em animais não ruminantes no Brasil.

Prevention of Clostridium difficile infection in hamsters using a non-toxigenic strain / Prevenção da infecção por Clostridium difficile em hamsters usando uma estirpe não toxigênica

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to evaluate five non-toxigenic strains of Clostridium difficile (NTCD) in vitro and to select one strain to prevent C. difficile (CDI) infection in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). The NTCD strains were evaluated for spore production in vitro, antimicrobial susceptibility and presence of antimicrobial resistance genes. Approximately 107 spores of the selected strain (Z31) were administered by esophageal gavage in hamsters pretreated with 30mg kg-1 of clindamycin. The challenge with a toxigenic strain of C. difficile was conducted at 36 and 72h, and the animals were observed for 28 days. The NTCD strain of C. difficile (Z31) was able to prevent CDI in all animals that received it.

RESUMO: O presente trabalho objetivou a avaliação in vitro de cinco estirpes não toxigênicas de Clostridium difficile (NTCD) e seleção de uma delas para prevenção de infecção por C. difficile (CDI) em hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). As estirpes NTCD foram avaliadas quanto à produção de esporos in vitro, sensibilidade antimicrobiana e presença de genes de resistência a antimicrobianos. Aproximadamente 107 esporos da estirpe selecionada (Z31) foram administrados por gavagem esofágica em hamsters previamente tratados com 30mg kg-1 de clindamicina. O desafio com uma estirpe toxigênica de C. difficile ocorreu nos tempos experimentais 36 e 72h, e os animais foram observados por 28 dias. A estirpe NTCD de C. difficile (Z31) foi capaz de prevenir a CDI em todos os animais que a receberam.