Epizootiologic investigations of a diarrheic syndrome in fattening pigs.

A diarrheic syndrome linked to Clostridium perfringens was observed in fattening pigs. A good correlation was observed between the onset and the severity of diarrhea and the fecal passage of C perfringens enterotoxin. Intestinal fluids from affected pigs had activity comparable with that detected in a purified C perfringens enterotoxin. Seven pigs excreting enterotoxin were shown to develop serum antibodies to C perfringens enterotoxin.