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→Laboratory Tests
===Laboratory Tests===
===Laboratory Tests===
diseases of sheep: intestinal contents will be positive for episilon toxin but negative for beta toxin. Anaerobic cultures will yield ''C. perfringens'', usually in pure culture. These can be confirmed as ''C. perfringens'' type d by PCR techniques.
Short, thick gram-positive rods are easily visualised on smears of intestinal contents. An ELISA may be used to demonstrate the presence of ɛ toxin in the small intestinal or peritoneal fluid. A positive toxin ELISA supports but does not confirm a diagnosis, since immune animals may experience elevated toxin levels without suffering ill effects. PCR can also be used to identify ɛ toxin indirectly by detecting its gene.
Short, thick gram-positive rods are easily visualised on smears of intestinal contents. An ELISA may be used to demonstrate the presence of ɛ toxin in the small intestinal or peritoneal fluid. A positive toxin ELISA supports but does not confirm a diagnosis, since immune animals may experience elevated toxin levels without suffering ill effects. PCR can also be used to identify ɛ toxin indirectly by detecting its gene.