Molecular detection of Clostridium perfringens toxinotypes in the intestinal content of the invasive American mink (Neogale vison) in southern Chile.

Several Clostridium perfringens toxinotypes may cause disease in both humans and animals. The role of non-native wildlife as carriers of this pathogen has not been fully investigated. Direct PCR toxinotyping on intestinal content of clinically healthy individuals of the invasive American mink (Neogale vison) in southern Chile, detected the genes encoding alpha, beta, epsilon, iota, enterotoxin and necrotic-enteritis b-like toxins. No microscopic lesions associated with these toxins were observed in samples of intestinal tissue, but the study confirms that minks are exposed to and can harbor C. perfringens toxigenic strains in their intestinal contents, serving as a baseline for future epidemiological monitoring.