Abstract
The main objective of this study was isolation and determination of changes caused by Clostridium perfringens type D from sheep. For this purpose, a total of 272 fecal samples were collected from sheep and lambs from four different zones of district Peshawar. Isolates were morphologically, biochemically and molecularly confirmed through Gram staining, gelatin liquefaction test (GLT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. Out of total, 85 (31.3%) were positive for C. perfringens type D on PCR. The results revealed 6-34% prevalence of C. perfringens type D in different regions. Similarly, significantly (P<0.001) higher prevalence was observed in lambs (54%) as compared to sheep (23%). For gross and histopathological lesions a total of 50 animals were necropsied infected with C. perfringens type D. A total of 43 (86%) sheep were recorded having hemorrhages on serosa of intestine followed by gas filled small intestine in 41 sheep (82%), lesions in ileum and colon in 39 sheep (78%), soft kidney 27 (54%), dark congested liver 26 (52%), nephritis 23 (46%) and spleenitis 13 (26%). Microscopic lesions revealed a score of 10 of kidney tissue out of 15 while the lesion score of intestine revealed 08 out of lesion score of 15.