Detection of Clostridial Hemolysin Formed In Vivo

Experimental clostridial myonecrosis closely resembling gas gangrene was produced in goats by the intramuscular injection of washed clostridia suspended in adrenalin. The preparation provides a model for the study of clostridial myonecrosis that is relatively isolated from preceding trauma. A new test for the demonstration of clostridial exotoxins, the hemolysin indicator plate test, was described. This test gave reliable results within 6 hr, and only minute quantities of test material were required. Application of this test to would exudates of goats with experimental clostridial myonecrosis demonstrated the presence of the gamma toxin of Clostridium novyi, alpha toxin of C. septicum, and the alpha toxin of C. perfringens in exudates from animals injected with washed Clostridium bacilli suspended in adrenalin. Exudates from goats injected with C. perfringens were lethal for mice and produced necrosis of guinea pig skin typical of C. perfringens. The convincing demonstration of clostridial exotoxins formed in vivo in this experimental model could be the basis for definition of clostridial exotoxin actions which have evaded study in the past.