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The production of Clostridium botulinum type A, B and D toxin in rotting carcasses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

N. E. Ortiz  and
G. R. Smith
N. E. Ortiz
Affiliation:
Institute of Zoology, The Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY
G. R. Smith*
Affiliation:
Institute of Zoology, The Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY
*
* Correspondence to: G. R. Smith.
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Summary

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Carrion is a major source of botulinal toxin for animals. A type D strain of Clostridium botulinum differed from type A and B strains in producing (1) much higher concentrations of toxin in putrefying mouse carcasses at several different temperatures over a period of 35 days, (2) toxicity that sometimes persisted in mouse carcasses for at least a year, and (3) mouse carcasses with exceptionally high oral toxicity. Fish carcasses were much less favourable than mouse carcasses for type D toxigenesis.

The study, together with earlier studies on types C and E, indicated that carrion contaminated with C. botulinum type C or D is likely to be particularly dangerous for animals that may ingest it. This accords with the observation that carrion-transmitted botulism in animals is usually caused by type C or D.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 113 , Issue 2 , October 1994 , pp. 335 - 343
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

References

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