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The production of Clostridium botulinum toxin in mammalian, avian and piscine carrion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

G. R. Smith
Affiliation:
Nuffield Laboratories of Comparative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, The Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
A. Turner
Affiliation:
Nuffield Laboratories of Comparative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, The Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
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Summary

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Mice, birds (chicks, quail) and fish (rudd, goldfish) killed shortly after receiving 1300–2000 spores of Clostridium botulinum per os were incubated, usually at 23 °C for 7 days. A 10% (w/v) homogenate of each rotting carcass was then prepared, sterilized by membrane filtration, and assayed for toxin.

In mouse carcasses a type C strain of C. botulinum usually produced > 2 × 105 mouse intraperitoneal LD/g; in fish carcasses it usually produced less - often much less - than 2 × 104 LD/g. Avian carcasses appeared to be intermediate between those of mice and fish in their ability to support toxigenesis. A type E strain of C. botulinum, unlike type C. produced toxin equally well in fish and mouse carrion, usually at a concentration of between 2 × 104 and 2 × 105 LD/g.

Type
Special Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

References

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