Clostridial Necrotizing Enteritis

Clostridial necrotizing enteritis (CNE) -- also called enteritis necroticans and pigbel -- is an often fatal type of food poisoning caused by a β-toxin of Clostridium perfringens, Type C. It occurs in some developing countries, but was also documented in Germany following World War II. The toxin is normally inactivated by certain proteolytic enzymes and by normal cooking, but when these protections are impeded, the disease emerges.