Clostridial Vaccine for Veterinary Use in Iran: A Review

Clostridia are Gram-positive anaerobic, spore-forming rods, found in soil, water as well as gastro-intestinal tract of human and animals worldwide. Clostridial infections are among the most prevalent diseases in Iran. Clostridium causes botulism, tetanus, food poisoning, wound infections, enterotoxaemia, gas gangrene, necrotic enteritis, pseudomembranous colitis, blackleg and black disease. Clostridium also causes several diseases affecting the livestock and poultry industries throughout the world. Vaccination against clostridial infection is effective in immunization of domestic animals and birds. This review discusses clostridial infection and the development of vaccines against their infection in Iran. The last reported outbreaks of blackleg, black disease and enterotoxaemia occurred years ago, so these vaccines have been produced since the 1960s using traditional and conventional methods. In recent years, molecular biology methods have been developed and applied to the identification of clostridial diseases among animals. In this study, molecular cloning strategies for the major toxins of Clostridium species, for development of recombinant vaccines, were designed and evaluated. In vivo studies indicate that the recombinant vaccines will increase immunity against disease in laboratory animals. These experimental vaccines can thus be used in future pilot studies in Iran. This review article presents current knowledge regarding C. perfringens, C. novyi, C. septicum and C. chauvoei in the veterinary industry in Iran.