Development of Real-Time PCR for the Detection of Clostridium perfringens in Meats and Vegetables

A real-time PCR assay was developed and validated in-house specifically for the detection of Clostridium perfringens (CL perfringens) in meats and vegetables by comparing with the culture method. The detection limit of the real-time PCR assay in phosphate-buffered saline was 10(2) CFU/ml. When the two methods were compared in food samples inoculated with CL perfringens, the culture method detected 52 positives, whereas real-time PCR detected 51 positives out of 160 samples. The difference was without statistical significance (p>0.05). Real-time PCR assay is an option for quality assurance laboratories to perform standard diagnostic tests, considering its detection ability and time-saving efficiency.