Articles

Clostridium perfringens is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, anaerobic bacterium. It is one of the most important bacterial pathogens in poultry worldwide. It is the main cause of necrotic enteritis, a disease that damages the intestines, reduces nutrient absorption, slows bird growth, and causes major economic losses to the poultry industry. Several predisposing factors and bacterial toxins, including NetB, alpha toxin, perfringolysin O, β2 toxin, and TpeL, influence disease development. Modern molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis have improved the detection and identification of harmful strains of C. perfringens. However, the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has reduced the effectiveness of antibiotics. As a result, alternative control methods such as probiotics, bacteriocins, phage lysins, better biosecurity, and the responsible use of antibiotics are becoming increasingly important. This article discusses the pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis, economic losses, current challenges, and future strategies for the prevention and control of C. perfringens infections in poultry.