Detection by PCR of the Tyzzer's disease organism (Clostridium piliforme) in feces.

We examined whether the Tyzzer's disease organism, Clostridium piliforme, could be detected in feces by PCR. If the organism could be detected in feces, a diagnosis could be made without sacrifice of the animal. Using the RT strain of C. piliforme, we found that a C. piliforme band could be detected when there were > or = 1 x 10(0) bacteria present in the PCR solution, but the presence of fecal extract in the solution depressed the sensitivity 10 fold. Nevertheless, we could detect the C. piliforme-specific band in fecal extracts from rats in a naturally infected colony, and concluded that the use of PCR to detect C. piliforme DNA in fecal extracts would be a useful diagnostic technique.