A double antibody sandwich enzyme-immunoassay for Clostridium perfringens type A enterotoxin detection in stool specimens.

A double antibody sandwich enzyme-immunoassay has been developed for detection of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin. Anti-enterotoxin immunoglobulin G-alkaline phosphatase conjugates were prepared using a rapid minicolumn procedure. The assay can achieve a sensitivity of greater than or equal to 1 ng/ml with purified enterotoxin. Sensitivity for detection of cases of C. perfringens enteritis in a C. perfringens outbreak (86 individuals tested) was between 85.7 and 98.0 per cent depending upon stringency of criteria for defining positive cases. Specificity of the assay was demonstrated by the lack of positive results in 53 individuals involved in a gastroenteritis outbreak of unknown etiology.