Enteric infection of swine with Clostridium perfringens types A and C

Hemorrhagic necrotic enteritis in piglets, induced by Clostridium perfringens type C, is a well-known disease syndrome that remains a problem in spite of long-term availability of inexpensive, generally-effective toxoids. Type A infections are now recognized with increasing frequency in neonatal and weaned pigs, and approaches to diagnosis and prophylaxis are both different and more complex than those for type C infections. Careful documentation of the clostridial etiology of these cases, including exclusion of other enteric pathogens, can provide the basis for effective strategies for prevention and control.