Abstract

Enterotoxemia is a acute and often fatal intestinal disease that affects domesticated animals such as livestock, horses, and pigs. This disease typically results in rapid animal death shortly after bacterial multiplication and toxin production. The causative agent is Clostridium perfringens bacteria, and clinical signs vary significantly depending on the bacterial type involved. Initial diagnosis is often based on the sudden and unexpected death of animals. Clostridium perfringens bacteria produce six major toxins: alpha, beta, epsilon, iota, enterotoxin and necrotic enteritis-like beta toxin. Based on the specific toxins produced, they are classified into seven types (A, B, C, D, E, F, G). According to collected reports, this disease causes substantial economic losses within the livestock industry. Vaccination against this clostridial infection is an effective method of prevention and immunization of animals. Objective: Given the challenges in producing vaccines against this disease, the aim of this study is to understand the characteristics and mechanisms of action of these toxins in order to use them effectively in clostridial vaccines. Findings: According to the conducted research, types A, B, C, D, and E play a role in enterotoxemia. This means that the primary toxins alpha, beta, epsilon, and iota are all involved in this disease in various ways. Additionally, enterotoxin can also induce this disease. This article delves into the specific characteristics of each of these toxins. Conclusion: The results of this study are of great importance in the field of veterinary medicine for the preparation and development of clostridial vaccines against enterotoxemia.