Validation of a clinical assay for botulinum neurotoxins through mass spectrometric detection.

Botulism is a paralytic disease due to the inhibition of acetylcholine exocytosis at the neuromuscular junction, which can be lethal if left untreated. Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are produced by some spore-forming bacteria. The current confirmatory assay to test for BoNTs in clinical specimens is the gold-standard mouse bioassay.

Unintended consequences: Renaming botulinum neurotoxin-producing species of clostridium and related species.

Botulinum neurotoxin-producing species of Clostridium are highly diverse. Clostridium botulinum could represent at least four different species of Clostridium. In addition, strains that do not produce botulinum neurotoxin are closely related to toxigenic strains, probably representing the same species.

Draft Genome Sequences of 20 Clostridium botulinum Type A Isolates from Foodborne Botulism Outbreaks.

Here, we present 20 draft genome sequences of Clostridium botulinum type A isolates originating from foodborne outbreaks in the United States and Ethiopia. Publicly available genomes enhance our understanding of C. botulinum genomics and are an asset in bioterrorism preparedness.

Draft Genome Sequence of Clostridium botulinum Subtype /A5(B2').

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Clostridium botulinum strain CDC76130, which harbors a rare botulinum toxin gene () complex arrangement of /A5 and truncated /B2 within the same toxin gene cluster.

Type B Isolated From a Wound Botulism Case Due to Injection Drug Use Resembles Other Local Strains Originating From Hawaii.

produces botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), which can lead to death if untreated. In the United States, over 90% of wound botulism cases are associated with injection drug use of black tar heroin. We sought to determine the phylogenetic relatedness of isolated from an injection drug use wound botulism case and isolates from endogenous infant botulism cases in Hawaii.

Foodborne Botulism Outbreaks in the United States, 2001-2017.

Foodborne botulism is an intoxication caused by ingestion of food containing botulinum neurotoxin. Cases of foodborne botulism are usually sporadic (single, unrelated) but outbreaks of two or more cases occur. In this mini-review we will examine the following for the period 2001-2017, in the United States: botulism surveillance data, outbreaks of botulism affecting 10 or more people, and the public health preparedness and response approach.

Genomic Characterization of Strains From a Cluster of Infant Botulism Type A in a Small Town in Colorado, United States.

Three cases of infant botulism were reported in a small Colorado town between 1981 and 1984. The first two cases occurred in 1981, 6 months apart, and the third case occurred in 1984. type A was isolated from stool of all three case patients and from environmental samples of the patient's homes.

Molecular Characterization of Harboring the /B7 Gene.

produces botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), which is the causative agent of botulism, a rare but serious disease that can result in death if not treated. Infant botulism occurs when colonizes the intestinal tract of infants and produces BoNT. It has been proposed that infants under the age of 1 year are uniquely susceptible to colonization by as their intestinal microbiota is not fully developed and provides little competition, allowing to thrive and produce BoNT in the gut.

Draft Genome Sequence of a Clostridium botulinum Isolate from Thailand Harboring the Subtype /B8 Gene.

In 2010, a Clostridium botulinum type B isolate was recovered from fermented soybeans during a foodborne botulism investigation. Molecular investigation of the botulinum neurotoxin () gene operon determined that the sequence was a new subtype, denoted B8. Here, we describe the draft whole-genome sequence of the organism.

Draft Genome Sequences for Dual-Toxin-Producing Clostridium botulinum Strains.

Here, we present draft genome sequences for three Clostridium botulinum strains that produce multiple botulinum toxin serotypes. Strains that produce two toxins are rare; however, one of these strains produces subtype B5 and F2 toxins, and two of the strains produce subtype A4 and B5 toxins.

Outbreak of Botulism Due to Illicit Prison-Brewed Alcohol: Public Health Response to a Serious and Recurrent Problem.

Background: Botulism is a rare, sometimes lethal neuroparalytic illness. On 2 October 2011, an inmate at prison A developed symptoms compatible with botulism after drinking pruno, an illicit, prison-brewed alcoholic beverage. Additional illnesses were identified within several days.

A Case of Localized, Unilateral (Cephalic) Wound Botulism.

We describe a rare presentation of botulism originally presenting with exclusively unilateral cranial nerve deficits following a puncture wound to the face. Cephalic tetanus was initially suspected but laboratory testing confirmed botulism. Botulism caused by local diffusion of toxin from a contaminated head wound can be confused with cephalic tetanus.

Type F Infant Botulism: Investigation of Recent Clusters and Overview of This Exceedingly Rare Disease.

From 1976 to 2016, neurotoxigenic Clostridium baratii type F caused 18 (<0.5%) reported US infant botulism cases. Six cases occurred during 2012-2013; no common source was identified.

Finished Whole-Genome Sequences of Toxin Subtype E4 and Toxin Subtype F7 Strains.

and species have been known to produce botulinum toxin types E and F, respectively, which can cause botulism, a rare but serious neuroparalytic disease. Here, we present finished genome sequences for two of these clinically relevant strains.

Pulsotype Diversity of Clostridium botulinum Strains Containing Serotypes A and/or B Genes.

Clostridium botulinum strains are prevalent in the environment and produce a potent neurotoxin that causes botulism, a rare but serious paralytic disease. In 2010, a national PulseNet database was established to curate C. botulinum pulsotypes and facilitate epidemiological investigations, particularly for serotypes A and B strains frequently associated with botulism cases in the United States.

Finished Whole-Genome Sequences of Two Type A(B) Isolates.

secretes a potent neurotoxin that causes devastating effects when ingested, including paralysis and death if not treated. In the United States, some clinically significant strains produce toxin type A while also harboring a silent B gene. These are the first two closed genome sequences published for this subset.

Finished Whole-Genome Sequence of Producing Botulinum Neurotoxin Type G.

Here, we present a closed genome sequence for strain 89G, the first strain identified to produce botulinum neurotoxin type G (BoNT/G). Although discovered in 1970, to date, there have been no reference quality sequences publicly available for this species.

Characterizing the fecal microbiota of infants with botulism.

Background: Infant botulism is the most prevalent form of botulism in the USA, representing 68.5 % of cases reported from 2001-2012. Infant botulism results when botulinum toxin-producing clostridia (BTPC) colonize the infant gut with concomitant in vivo production of the highly potent botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT).

Laboratory Investigation of the First Case of Botulism Caused by Clostridium butyricum Type E Toxin in the United States.

We report here the laboratory investigation of the first known case of botulism in the United States caused by Clostridium butyricum type E. This investigation demonstrates the importance of extensive microbiological examination of specimens, which resulted in the isolation of this organism.