The potential role of Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Clostridium perfringens is a bowel commensal that can colonise the biliary tract. It produces the alpha toxin (phospholipase C), which can induce spontaneous tissue necrosis.

AIMS:

To investigate whether there is any evidence that Clostridium perfringens alpha toxin can be detected in acute pancreatitis.

METHODS:

Serum samples from 21 patients with acute pancreatitis and 22 controls were assayed for C perfringens phospholipase C as well as anti-phospholipase C IgG and IgM; IgG and IgM anti-toxins were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS:

In normal healthy controls there is a very high level of natural anti-toxin of both the IgG and IgM class. Of the 21 patients with acute pancreatitis alpha toxin was detected in five (23.8%). Levels of both IgG and IgM anti-toxin were significantly reduced in acute pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results suggest that there is an abnormality of the immune status to C perfringens alpha toxin in patients with acute pancreatitis. This may be the result of a release of alpha toxin, although it is difficult to state whether this is a primary or secondary phenomenon in these patients. These preliminary results merit further investigation.

• Authors: R J Holdsworth, D Parratt
• Journal: Journal of clinical pathology (J Clin Pathol) Vol. 49 Issue 6 Pg. 500-3 (Jun 1996) ISSN: 0021-9746 [Print] England
• PMID: 8763267 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antitoxins
• Bacterial Toxins
• Calcium-Binding Proteins
• Immunoglobulin G
• Immunoglobulin M
• Type C Phospholipases
• alpha toxin, Clostridium perfringens

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Antitoxins (analysis)
• Bacterial Toxins (blood)
• Calcium-Binding Proteins
• Clostridium perfringens
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin G (analysis)
• Immunoglobulin M (analysis)
• Pancreatitis (etiology, immunology)
• Type C Phospholipases (blood, immunology)