Objective: Clostridium (C.) perfringens type A is often associated with diarrhoea in suckling piglets. The impact of the alpha (α) and beta (β)2 toxins on the pathogenesis of the disease has not been conclusively answered. Previously, autologous vaccines were used to control this disease. The aim of our investigation was the classification of C. perfringens strains and the quantitative determination of the α and β2 toxins during the production of autologous vaccines. The efficacy of a commercial vaccine against the C. perfringens type A associated diarrhoea was tested using an animal intoxication model.
Material and methods: A total of 1,434 C. perfringens strains from piglets with diarrhoea were classified using a multiplex PCR in the first part of the examination. In parallel, the α and β2 toxin content was determined quantitatively using ELISA tests. In the second part of the study 18 gilts were vaccinated twice in the last third of gestation to evaluate the α and β2 toxoid containing C.perfringens type A vaccine (Clostriporc A, IDT Biologika GmbH).
Results: Of the C. perfringens strains which were found, 87.9% were type A ( cpa , cpb2 ), 6.3% type A ( cpa ), and 5.8% type C ( cpa , cpb , cpb2 ). Low to middle a toxin-producing strains often strongly expressed the β2 toxin. The vaccination led to the production of antibodies against the α and β2 toxins, which were transferred to the offspring by colostrum. Piglets were significantly protected (p<0.05) by the antibodies after having been challenged with an α and β2-containing supernatant of a heterologous C. perfringens type A strain.
Conclusion and clinical relevance: These results underline the importance of α and β2 toxin producing C.perfringens type A strains in diarrhoea in suckling piglets. Using the intoxication model, this vaccine showed significant protective effects against the α and β2 toxins.