Unveiling the pathogenic mechanisms of Clostridium perfringens toxins and virulence factors

ABSTRACT

Clostridium perfringens causes multiple diseases in humans and animals. Its pathogenic effect is supported by a broad and heterogeneous arsenal of toxins and other virulence factors associated with a specific host tropism. Molecular approaches have indicated that most C. perfringens toxins produce membrane pores, leading to osmotic cell disruption and apoptosis. However, identifying mechanisms involved in cell tropism and selective toxicity effects should be studied more. The differential presence and polymorphisms of toxin-encoding genes and genes encoding other virulence factors suggest that molecular mechanisms might exist associated with host preference, receptor binding, and impact on the host; however, this information has not been reviewed in detail. Therefore, this review aims to clarify the current state of knowledge on the structural features and mechanisms of action of the major toxins and virulence factors of C. perfringens and discuss the impact of genetic diversity of toxinotypes in tropism for several hosts.

KEYWORDS:

• Clostridium perfringens; toxin type
• genetic diversity
• host
• enteritis
• toxinotypes

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was financially supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia Tecnología e Innovación (Minciencias), within the framework of the project 722289684653 contract. 613–2021. A.C. was supported by the Universidad de Boyacá, Tunja, Colombia and by the Scholarships for doctoral students Universidad del Rosario. L.J.H. was supported by Wellcome Trust Investigator Award 220876/Z/20/Z; the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Institute Strategic Programme, Gut Microbes and Health BB/R012490/1, and its constituent projects BBS/E/F/000PR10353 and BBS/E/F/000PR10356; and the BBSRC Institute Strategic Programme Food Microbiome and Health BB/X011054/1 and its constituent projects BBS/E/F/000PR10353 and BBS/E/F/000PR10356; and the BBSRC Institute Strategic Programme Food Microbiome and Health BB/X011054/1 and its constituent project BBS/E/F/000PR13631.