Which strains of Clostridium perfringens cause enterotoxemia in sheep?

Clostridium perfringens is a bacterium known to produce various toxins, and different types are associated with specific diseases in animals. In the case of sheep, enterotoxemia is predominantly caused by Type C and Type D strains.

Type C typically results in severe, often fatal, disease characterized by necrotic enteritis, while Type D is specifically associated with overeating disease, also known as pulpy kidney disease, which occurs when there is a sudden change in diet that leads to rapid fermentation in the gut. This rapid fermentation can increase the production of toxins, leading to clinical signs such as neurological symptoms and sudden death.

Understanding this, the link between Type C and Type D strains and enterotoxemia in sheep highlights the economic impact of these infections, as they can lead to significant losses in livestock. The other types mentioned do not have the same association with enterotoxemia in sheep, making the selection of Type C and D the correct choice for this question.