Abstract: Clostridium perfringens CP with toxigenic pttential has been implicated as a causative agent of foodborne poisoning, gas gangrene, infectious diarrhea, and several veterinary diseases. In this study we used non-radioactive digoxigenin-labeled DNA probe specific for the enterotoxin gene and developed an in situ hybridization analysis for the detection of the gene.Compared with other methods, i. e.PCR for enterotoxin gene and Reverse Passive Latex Agglutination Test (PET-RPLA) for enterotoxin, it has shown high sensitivity and specificity for detection and also directly differ entiated enterotoxigenic strains of this bacterium and made the diagnosis at gene level.All the results could be identified under light microscope within a short time.

Key words: Clostridium perfringens Enterotoxin gene Probe in situ hybridization