J. TYPING METHODS FOR CLOSTRIDIUM
25
similarities. The FA technique has some advantages in that crude material
can be stained and an appropriate estimation of cell numbers may be
obtained. Also, formolised material can be kept for at least two months
without impairing results. It would seem that the antigenic structure of
C. perfringens resides in the polysaccharide structures of the capsules
(Cherniak and Henderson, 1972; Paine and Cherniak, 1975).
Immunofluorescence has been applied to a variety of clostridia (Batty
and Walker, 1965) and provides a rapid means of identification; however,
typing the species into strains has not been developed. The serology of
other species of Clostridium has been insufficiently developed to permit more
than crude typing of organisms. Such serology is useful in identification of
these species, but, as an epidemiological tool, has little value. Much of
this information is provided by Mandia (1955) where serotypes of proteolytic clostridia are considered.
Similarly, toxin typing of clostridia may be of importance in species
identification but is less useful for strain differentiation. Although five
toxin types of C. perfringens exist (types A-E), the vast majority of human
strains are type A; therefore, some other means must be available for further
differentiation of strains for epidemiological purposes. The final identification of C. botulinum requires determination of specific toxin type. Although
this is of considerable importance, clinically speaking, it tends to obscure
the fact that the biological or physical properties of these organisms bear
little relationship to their toxin production as has been discussed under
the bacteriophages of C. botulinum. Typing methods for this species
have a wider base than toxigenicity.
XI. BACTERIOPHAGE AND BACTERIOCIN TYPING
OF C L O S T R I D I U M
SUMMARY AND OVERVIEW
T o date no bacteriophage typing scheme exists for any species of Clostridium. With respect to C. perfringens, it has been our experience that the
host range of phages examined is too narrow to make the development of a
typing system likely. This view is also shared by Dr S. Hirano (Kagoshima
University, Japan) and Dr M. Sebald (Institute Pasteur, Paris, France) (pers.
comms). None the less, one must not overlook the promising presentation
of Imbert (1968) with respect to typing this species. It is Dr Sebald’s
opinion that phage typing of C. histolyticum might be feasible.
Many bacteriocins of varying properties have been described for C.
perfringens and the first paper on this subject by Sasarman and Antohi
(1963) described 12 bacteriocin types amongst the 81% typable strains
tested. The work described by Mahony (1974) and Mahony and Swantee
25
similarities. The FA technique has some advantages in that crude material
can be stained and an appropriate estimation of cell numbers may be
obtained. Also, formolised material can be kept for at least two months
without impairing results. It would seem that the antigenic structure of
C. perfringens resides in the polysaccharide structures of the capsules
(Cherniak and Henderson, 1972; Paine and Cherniak, 1975).
Immunofluorescence has been applied to a variety of clostridia (Batty
and Walker, 1965) and provides a rapid means of identification; however,
typing the species into strains has not been developed. The serology of
other species of Clostridium has been insufficiently developed to permit more
than crude typing of organisms. Such serology is useful in identification of
these species, but, as an epidemiological tool, has little value. Much of
this information is provided by Mandia (1955) where serotypes of proteolytic clostridia are considered.
Similarly, toxin typing of clostridia may be of importance in species
identification but is less useful for strain differentiation. Although five
toxin types of C. perfringens exist (types A-E), the vast majority of human
strains are type A; therefore, some other means must be available for further
differentiation of strains for epidemiological purposes. The final identification of C. botulinum requires determination of specific toxin type. Although
this is of considerable importance, clinically speaking, it tends to obscure
the fact that the biological or physical properties of these organisms bear
little relationship to their toxin production as has been discussed under
the bacteriophages of C. botulinum. Typing methods for this species
have a wider base than toxigenicity.
XI. BACTERIOPHAGE AND BACTERIOCIN TYPING
OF C L O S T R I D I U M
SUMMARY AND OVERVIEW
T o date no bacteriophage typing scheme exists for any species of Clostridium. With respect to C. perfringens, it has been our experience that the
host range of phages examined is too narrow to make the development of a
typing system likely. This view is also shared by Dr S. Hirano (Kagoshima
University, Japan) and Dr M. Sebald (Institute Pasteur, Paris, France) (pers.
comms). None the less, one must not overlook the promising presentation
of Imbert (1968) with respect to typing this species. It is Dr Sebald’s
opinion that phage typing of C. histolyticum might be feasible.
Many bacteriocins of varying properties have been described for C.
perfringens and the first paper on this subject by Sasarman and Antohi
(1963) described 12 bacteriocin types amongst the 81% typable strains
tested. The work described by Mahony (1974) and Mahony and Swantee