Elevation of the Heat Resistance of Vegetative Cells and Spores of Clostridium perfringens Type A by Sublethal Heat Shock.

The degree of heat resistance conferred on Clostridium perfringens by a heat shock, the kinetics of this development, and its duration were determined. A sublethal heat shock at 55°C for 30 min increased the heat tolerance of vegetative cells at least two- to threefold. The acquired tolerance was maintained for 2 h after the heat shock treatment.