Porcine necrotic enteritis. Necrotic enteritis or clostridiosis is caused by the growth of Clostridium perfringens in the intestine. This microorganism has a telluric origin, though it can also come through feed due to its heat resistant spores.

Contaminated feed treated with temperatures lower than 120ºC can be the origin of an intestinal colonization. Once in the intestine, C. perfringens doesn’t necessary lead to clostridiosis. To do so, there should be undigested protein, whether because of protein excess in feed or low protein bioavailability. On this protein substrate, Clostridium starts growing and producing toxins with a systemic effect.