Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) (dog/cat)

Pathogen / Biology

: Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming rod-shaped bacterium that is ubiquitous in the environment and, in dogs and cats, is a regular component of the normal intestinal flora as Type A. What is pathogenetically significant is not the mere presence of the bacterium, but rather the production of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE), which is released during sporulation and damages the intestinal mucosa.

Transmission / Epidemiology

The pathogen is ingested orally; the disease develops when sporulation and enterotoxin production occur in the intestine. CPE-associated enterotoxicosis is considered a commonly recognized cause of chronic, intermittent diarrhea in dogs; it occurs less frequently in cats but is also significant. A link has also been described with acquired diarrhea and diarrhea occurring in a clinical setting.

Course & Symptoms

The clinical picture often involves the large intestine, with mucus and occasional traces of blood in the stool, a frequent urge to defecate, and frequent passage of small amounts of stool. The course can be acute or chronic and intermittent; acute, more severe cases are less common.

Diagnostic Relevance

Since Clostridium perfringens is part of the normal intestinal flora, the detection of the pathogen or culture alone is not conclusive. Detection of the enterotoxin (CPE) in feces is diagnostically relevant in animals that actually exhibit diarrhea, as the enterotoxin can also be present in clinically unremarkable animals. A positive result must therefore be evaluated in the clinical context.

Rapid Test Component

The Fassisi® GiaCPE and Fassisi® GiaCPE MPX tests detect Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE) along with Giardia duodenalis in feces, thereby aiding in the diagnosis of acute and chronic intermittent diarrhea.

References can be found here.