What is Naegler's reaction is due to - and explain in detail?
Ans. is 'c' i.e., Lecithinase o Two important characteristic feature of Cl. perfringens are:-1) Target hemolysis (double zone hemolysis) on blood agar. It is a narrow zone of complete hemolysis by theta toxin which is surrounded by a wider incomplete hemolysis by alpha-toxin.2) Naegler's reaction detects alpha toxin (phospholipase or lecithinase C). When Cl. perfringens is grown on a medium with the antitoxin spread on one half of the plate, colonies on the other half without the antitoxin will be surrounded by a zone of opacity. There will be no opacity around the colonies on the half of the plate with the antitoxin, due to the specific neutralisation of the alpha-toxin.