Figures & data
Figure 1. 1a: Confluent necrosis of the jejunum. 1b: Focal necrosis of the jejunum.
Figure 2. In short, Eimeria parasites induce leakage of plasma proteins by killing epithelial cells (step A) and enhance mucus production in the intestine (step B). Both effects provide an increase in available nutrients and create an environment favourable for proliferation of C. perfringens. By producing bacteriocins and thus inhibiting other C. perfringens strains, the virulent strain is able to obtain the maximum benefit of the increased nutrient availability due to the Eimeria infection (step C). The pathological changes in necrotic enteritis start at the basal and lateral domains of enterocytes and then extend progressively in the entire lamina propria. Both host collagenases and collagenolytic enzymes secreted by proliferating pathogens may play a role (step D). NetB may induce necrotic lesions by forming pores in enterocytes leading to cell death (step E). C. perfringens binds to the ECMMs that leak into the lumen as a consequence of the lesions (step F).
