Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is a normal inhabitant in the gut of
animals. It may proliferate rapidly in favorable conditions and produces lethal toxins. These
toxins may cause lethal effects in the intestines and systemically it may cause enterotoxaemia.
In disease conditions, the presence of C. perfringens CFU/g in fecal sample can be of
diagnostic value. This study aims to determine the bacterial counts and predisposing factors
of C. perfringens (targeting CPA gene) infection in addition to an in-vitro antimicrobial trial
in entero-toxemic sheep in Pakistan. A total of 192 diarrheic sheep irrespective of age,
gender and breed were selected and the CFU/g was determined from the fecal samples. The
study showed that 34.9% of the samples had elevated level of bacterial count compared to
the normal (104-107 CFU/g). Out of the total, 7.8% of the samples had subnormal bacterial
count (CFU/g), while, 57.3% of the samples showed bacterial counts in the normal ranges.
The confirmation of selectively isolated C. perfringens was done by amplification of 324bp
CPA gene fragment using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The in-vitro antimicrobial
sensitivity trials showed that penicillin, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone are 100% efficacious
against C. perfringens, while, bacitracin, ampicillin and amoxicillin were found to be least
effective. The key determinants in this study which support the in-vivo growths of C.
perfringens were; carbohydrate rich diet and overcrowding with the odds ratios (OR) of 5.44
and 2.26, respectively. This study concludes that C. perfringens is highly prevalent in sheep
population of Pakistan. The incidence of enterotoxaemia can be minimized by controlling the
factors which enhance its in-vivo growth. The diseased animal associated with elevated C.
perfringens levels can be effectively cured using any one of the penicillin, ciprofloxacin and
ceftriaxone.