Comparative Experiments To Examine the Effects of Heating on Vegetative Cells and Spores ofClostridium perfringensIsolates Carrying Plasmid Genes versus Chromosomal Enterotoxin Genes

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.66.8.3234-3240.2000
• Publication Date: 2002-07-27T09:55:30Z
• Authors: Mahfuzur R. Sarker; Robert P. Shivers; Shauna G. Sparks; Vijay K. Juneja; Bruce A. McClane
• Keywords: Clostridium perfringens; Food poisoning

ABSTRACT Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) is an important virulence factor for both C. type A food poisoning and several non-food-borne human gastrointestinal diseases. Recent studies have indicated that isolates associated with carry a chromosomal cpe gene, while disease plasmid gene. However, no explanation has been provided the strong associations between certain genotypes particular CPE-associated Since usually involves cooked meat products, we hypothesized are so strongly because (i) they more heat resistant than isolates, (ii) heating induces loss of plasmid, or (iii) migration gene to chromosome. When tested these hypotheses, vegetative cells were found exhibit, on average approximately twofold-higher decimal reduction values ( D values) at 55°C exhibited. Furthermore, spores had, average, 60-fold-higher 100°C had. Southern hybridization CPE Western blot analyses demonstrated all survivors retained their in its original location could still express CPE. These results suggest poisoning, least part, possess high degree resistance, which should enhance survival incompletely inadequately warmed foods.