Prevalence of Clostridium Perfringens Spores in Selected Regions of Saudi Arabia

The prevalence of Clostridium perfringens spores in the environment is crucial for the pathogenesis of this bacterium because these dormant spores, upon contact with a suitable host, can return to active growth to cause disease.We evaluated the prevalence of C. perfringens spores in the Hail and Qassim regions of Saudi Arabia.Methods: A plating method was used to identify C. perfringens. PCR analyses and DNA sequencing were performed for genotypic characterization of the newly isolated C. perfringens.25 of 300 collected samples were identified as C. perfringens by selecting black colonies on selective media and monitoring b-hemolysis on blood agar plate. PCR analyses showed that all 25 isolates carry a-toxin gene (plc), but not the enterotoxin gene (cpe), further confirming that these isolates are indeed cpe-negative. Genome sequencing found that Saudi isolates are genotypically similar to the American and European isolates; no homologues of toxinotyping genes encoding b-, i-, e- and NetB-toxin were detected in 22 Saudi isolates, with the exception of 3 isolates that carry only e-toxin gene etx. Collectively, our findings suggest that C. perfringens are highly prevalent in the Hail and Qassim environment, with 22 (88%) of 25 isolates are type A and remaining 3 (12%) are type D.