Analysis of protection afforded by a Clostridium perfringens α-toxoid against heterologous clostridial phospholipases C

The major virulence determinant in clostridial myonecrosis caused by Clostridium perfringens is a phospholipase C (PLC), the α-toxin. Previously, mice have been protected against challenge with heterologous α-toxin or Clostridium perfringens spores by immunisation with the C-domain (known as Cpa247–370 or α-toxoid) of the α-toxin. In this study, we have determined the ability of the α-toxoid to protect against the lethal effects of a divergent C. perfringens α-toxin and against the PLCs of C. absonum or C. bifermentans, species which have been isolated from cases of clostridial myonecrosis. Protection against the C. perfringens α-toxin variant, the C. absonum α-toxin or the C. bifermentans PLC was elicited by immunisation with the α-toxoid in vivo.