Real-Time PCR Assay for 'Clostridium perfringens' in Broiler Chickens in a Challenge Model of Necrotic Enteritis

We compared ileal 'Clostridium perfringens' quantification results produced by real-time PCR and culture-based methods in broiler chickens in a challenge model of necrotic enteritis. Assessment of the relative standard deviations (RSDs) revealed that the real-time PCR assay generated a smaller standard deviation and thus was more precise than the culture-based method. Linear regression analysis indicated that the bacterial counts of these two methods were highly correlated (R2 = 0.845). We suggest that real-time PCR could be a replacement of the culture method for quantifying 'C. perfringens' in the intestinal tracts of broiler chickens.