Development of Rapid Detection Kit for Necrotic Enteritis Disease in Poultry using Protein A Agglutination

Necrotic enteritis causes significant losses in the global poultry industry, necessitating accurate diagnosis for effective intervention. This study aimed to develop a diagnostic tool for detecting necrotic enteritis in poultry based on the presence of Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) Alpha-toxin in poultry feces. The reagent of the detection kit was developed by conjugation of IgG against C. perfringens toxin and Staphylococcus cells containing protein A. The IgG antibody was derived from an 8-month-old thin-tailed male sheep immunized with purified 2 ml of C. perfringens Alpha-toxin. Sensitivity assays were carried out to determine the detection limit, while Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis) were used to identify specificity. A purified Alpha-toxin with a protein concentration of 2.8 mg/ml and a specific molecular weight of 43 kDa was successfully obtained. A strong reaction of the hyperimmune antibody (IgG) was also detected in the thin-tailed male sheep serum. The developed rapid detection kit in this study indicated C. perfringens Alpha-toxin with a lower concentration (12 ng/ml). Agglutination reactions could differentiate positive control from negative without significant cross-reactivity towards other bacteria (S. enteritidis and E. coli).