1
|
Pillai SP, Hill KK, Gans J, Smith TJ. Real-time PCR assays that detect genes for botulinum neurotoxin A-G subtypes. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1382056. [PMID: 38873139 PMCID: PMC11169944 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1382056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The role of Real-Time PCR assays for surveillance and rapid screening for pathogens is garnering more and more attention because of its versatility and ease of adoption. The goal of this study was to design, test, and evaluate Real-Time TaqMan PCR assays for the detection of botulinum neurotoxin (bont/A-G) genes from currently recognized BoNT subtypes. Assays were computationally designed and then laboratory tested for sensitivity and specificity using DNA preparations containing bont genes from 82 target toxin subtypes, including nine bivalent toxin types; 31 strains representing other clostridial species; and an extensive panel that consisted of DNA from a diverse set of prokaryotic (bacterial) and eukaryotic (fungal, protozoan, plant, and animal) species. In addition to laboratory testing, the assays were computationally evaluated using in silico analysis for their ability to detect bont gene sequences from recently identified toxin subtypes. Seventeen specific assays (two for each of the bont/C, bont/D, bont/E, and bont/G subtypes and three for each of the bont/A, bont/B, and bont/F subtypes) were designed and evaluated for their ability to detect bont genes encoding multiple subtypes from all seven serotypes. These assays could provide an additional tool for the detection of botulinum neurotoxins in clinical, environmental and food samples that can complement other existing methods used in clinical diagnostics, regulatory, public health, and research laboratories.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Segaran P. Pillai
- Office of the Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Karen K. Hill
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Jason Gans
- Los Alamos National Laboratory, Bioscience Division, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Theresa J. Smith
- Pathogen and Microbiome Institute, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Rawson AM, Dempster AW, Humphreys CM, Minton NP. Pathogenicity and virulence of Clostridium botulinum. Virulence 2023; 14:2205251. [PMID: 37157163 PMCID: PMC10171130 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2205251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium botulinum, a polyphyletic Gram-positive taxon of bacteria, is classified purely by their ability to produce botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). BoNT is the primary virulence factor and the causative agent of botulism. A potentially fatal disease, botulism is classically characterized by a symmetrical descending flaccid paralysis, which is left untreated can lead to respiratory failure and death. Botulism cases are classified into three main forms dependent on the nature of intoxication; foodborne, wound and infant. The BoNT, regarded as the most potent biological substance known, is a zinc metalloprotease that specifically cleaves SNARE proteins at neuromuscular junctions, preventing exocytosis of neurotransmitters, leading to muscle paralysis. The BoNT is now used to treat numerous medical conditions caused by overactive or spastic muscles and is extensively used in the cosmetic industry due to its high specificity and the exceedingly small doses needed to exert long-lasting pharmacological effects. Additionally, the ability to form endospores is critical to the pathogenicity of the bacteria. Disease transmission is often facilitated via the metabolically dormant spores that are highly resistant to environment stresses, allowing persistence in the environment in unfavourable conditions. Infant and wound botulism infections are initiated upon germination of the spores into neurotoxin producing vegetative cells, whereas foodborne botulism is attributed to ingestion of preformed BoNT. C. botulinum is a saprophytic bacterium, thought to have evolved its potent neurotoxin to establish a source of nutrients by killing its host.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Rawson
- Clostridia Research Group, BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), School of Life Sciences, The Biodiscovery Institute, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Andrew W Dempster
- Clostridia Research Group, BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), School of Life Sciences, The Biodiscovery Institute, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Christopher M Humphreys
- Clostridia Research Group, BBSRC/EPSRC Synthetic Biology Research Centre (SBRC), School of Life Sciences, The Biodiscovery Institute, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pinna L, Coccollone A, Maxia M, Bano L, Scalfaro C, Mandas D, Liciardi M. Botulism in Cattle: A Case Report of an Outbreak in Sardinia (Italy). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2435. [PMID: 37570244 PMCID: PMC10416857 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium botulinum is the main causative agent of botulism in humans and animals. The ingestion of the botulinum neurotoxin, usually types C and D, has been shown to produce disease (neurological symptoms) in most botulism cases in cattle. We report an outbreak in Southern Sardinia that involved a livestock farm with 120 animals, 39 of which died. The aim of this report is to describe the course of this outbreak and the progression of symptoms up to the death of some animals; we also describe the therapeutic approach applied in this case and the analytical techniques used to diagnose the disease. Finally, we emphasize the importance of promptly proceeding with the sampling of several matrixes when a suspicion of botulism arises.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luigia Pinna
- S.C. Complex Territorial Diagnostic Structure of Cagliari, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sardinia, Via Dell’Acquedotto Romano, 09030 Elmas-Cagliari, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (M.L.)
| | - Annamaria Coccollone
- S.C. Complex Territorial Diagnostic Structure of Cagliari, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sardinia, Via Dell’Acquedotto Romano, 09030 Elmas-Cagliari, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (M.L.)
| | | | - Luca Bano
- Laboratory of Clinical Diagnostics, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy;
| | - Concetta Scalfaro
- Microbiological Food Safety and Food-Borne Diseases Unit, Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, National Reference Centre for Botulism, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Daniela Mandas
- S.C. Complex Territorial Diagnostic Structure of Cagliari, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sardinia, Via Dell’Acquedotto Romano, 09030 Elmas-Cagliari, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (M.L.)
| | - Manuele Liciardi
- S.C. Complex Territorial Diagnostic Structure of Cagliari, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale of Sardinia, Via Dell’Acquedotto Romano, 09030 Elmas-Cagliari, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (M.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Hamad G, Hafez EE, Sobhy SE, Mehany T, Elfayoumy RA, Elghazaly EM, Eskander M, Tawfik RG, Hussein SM, Pereira L. Detection of Clostridium botulinum in Some Egyptian Fish Products, Its Control In Vitro Using Citrus Leaves Extracts, and Applicability of Citrus limon Leaf Extract in Tuna. Foods 2023; 12:foods12071466. [PMID: 37048287 PMCID: PMC10093640 DOI: 10.3390/foods12071466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aims to detect Clostridium botulinum and its control using natural leaf extracts of Citrus limon, Citrus sinensis, and Citrus unshiu in Egyptian fish products, e.g., canned tuna, canned sardine, canned mackerel, fesikh, moloha, and renga, as well the application of C. limon in tuna. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the C. limon leaf extract was also estimated. In the water extract, ascorbic acid, total flavonoid content (TFC), and total phenolic content (TPC) were determined by volumetric, aluminum chloride, and Folin-Ciocalteu approaches, respectively. The antioxidant ability of the extract was analyzed in vitro via free radical scavenging (DPPH) and Ferric reducing assays. The results showed variability in the distribution of the total number of positive C. botulinum in fish samples from three different governorates under study, which were (24) Alexandria, (16) Beheira, and (17) Gharbia, out of the 120 tested samples in each governorate. Additionally, the findings revealed that all three Citrus extracts contain an appropriate number of secondary metabolites, with a sustainable presence of saponin and tannins in the C. limon extract. Furthermore, all Citrus extracts inhibited bacterial growth by increasing the inhibition zone, with C. limon being the best extract (25 mm) compared to C. sinensis and C. unshiu. The overall results showed the high antioxidant and anti-Clostridium powers (p < 0.05) of C. limon leaf extract, indicating its preservative activity in fishery products during storage. Finally, C. limon leaf extract can fight off C. botulinum and is considered a promising natural preservation candidate in ensuring safe and fresh fishery products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gamal Hamad
- Department of Food Technology, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, New Borg El-Arab 21934, Egypt
| | - Elsayed E Hafez
- Department of Plant Protection and Biomolecular Diagnosis, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technology Applications, New Borg El-Arab 21934, Egypt
| | - Sherien E Sobhy
- Department of Plant Protection and Biomolecular Diagnosis, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technology Applications, New Borg El-Arab 21934, Egypt
| | - Taha Mehany
- Department of Food Technology, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, New Borg El-Arab 21934, Egypt
| | - Reham A Elfayoumy
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Damietta 34511, Egypt
| | - Eman M Elghazaly
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Matrouh University, Matrouh 51511, Egypt
| | - Michael Eskander
- Department of Food Hygiene and Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 22758, Egypt
| | - Rasha G Tawfik
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria 22758, Egypt
| | - Saleh M Hussein
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt
| | - Leonel Pereira
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET-Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Loy JD, Clawson ML, Adkins PRF, Middleton JR. Current and Emerging Diagnostic Approaches to Bacterial Diseases of Ruminants. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2023; 39:93-114. [PMID: 36732002 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvfa.2022.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The diagnostic approaches and methods to detect bacterial pathogens in ruminants are discussed, with a focus on cattle. Conventional diagnostic methods using culture, isolation, and characterization are being replaced or supplemented with new methods. These include molecular diagnostics such as real-time polymerase chain reaction and whole-genome sequencing. In addition, methods such as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry enable rapid identification and enhanced pathogen characterization. These emerging diagnostic tools can greatly enhance the ability to detect and characterize pathogens, but performance and interpretation vary greatly across sample and pathogen types, disease syndromes, assay performance, and other factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- John Dustin Loy
- Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA.
| | - Michael L Clawson
- USDA, Agriculture Research Service US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, USA
| | - Pamela R F Adkins
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - John R Middleton
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang J, Gao P, Wu Y, Yan X, Ye C, Liang W, Yan M, Xu X, Jiang H. Identification of foodborne pathogenic bacteria using confocal Raman microspectroscopy and chemometrics. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:874658. [PMID: 36419427 PMCID: PMC9676656 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.874658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Rapid and accurate identification of foodborne pathogenic bacteria is of great importance because they are often responsible for the majority of serious foodborne illnesses. The confocal Raman microspectroscopy (CRM) is a fast and easy-to-use method known for its effectiveness in detecting and identifying microorganisms. This study demonstrates that CRM combined with chemometrics can serve as a rapid, reliable, and efficient method for the detection and identification of foodborne pathogenic bacteria without any laborious pre-treatments. Six important foodborne pathogenic bacteria including S. flexneri, L. monocytogenes, V. cholerae, S. aureus, S. typhimurium, and C. botulinum were investigated with CRM. These pathogenic bacteria can be differentiated based on several characteristic peaks and peak intensity ratio. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used for investigating the difference of various samples and reducing the dimensionality of the dataset. Performances of some classical classifiers were compared for bacterial detection and identification including decision tree (DT), artificial neural network (ANN), and Fisher's discriminant analysis (FDA). Correct recognition ratio (CRR), area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), cumulative gains, and lift charts were used to evaluate the performance of models. The impact of different pretreatment methods on the models was explored, and pretreatment methods include Savitzky-Golay algorithm smoothing (SG), standard normal variate (SNV), multivariate scatter correction (MSC), and Savitzky-Golay algorithm 1st Derivative (SG 1st Der). In the DT, ANN, and FDA model, FDA is more robust for overfitting problem and offers the highest accuracy. Most pretreatment methods raised the performance of the models except SNV. The results revealed that CRM coupled with chemometrics offers a powerful tool for the discrimination of foodborne pathogenic bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Zhang
- Criminal Investigation School, People’s Public Security University of China, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Pengya Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaomei Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Changyun Ye
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Weili Liang
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Meiying Yan
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xuefang Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Criminal Investigation School, People’s Public Security University of China, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
The Light Chain Domain and Especially the C-Terminus of Receptor-Binding Domain of the Botulinum Neurotoxin (BoNT) Are the Hotspots for Amino Acid Variability and Toxin Type Diversity. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13101915. [PMID: 36292800 PMCID: PMC9601653 DOI: 10.3390/genes13101915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) are the most potent toxins in the world. They are produced by a few dozens of strains within several clostridial species. The toxin that they produce can cause botulism, a flaccid paralysis in humans and other animals. With seven established serologically different types and over 40 subtypes, BoNTs are among the most diverse known toxins. The toxin, its structure, its function and its physiological effects on the neural cell and animal hosts along with its diversity have been the subjects of numerous studies. However, many gaps remain in our knowledge about the BoNT toxin and the species that produce them. One of these gaps involves the distribution and extent of variability along the full length of the gene and the protein as well as its domains and subdomains. In this study, we performed an extensive analysis of all of the available 143 unique BoNT-encoding genes and their products, and we investigated their diversity and evolution. Our results indicate that while the nucleotide variability is almost uniformly distributed along the entire length of the gene, the amino acid variability is not. We found that most of the differences were concentrated along the protein's light chain (LC) domain and especially, the C-terminus of the receptor-binding domain (HCC). These two regions of the protein are thus identified as the main source of the toxin type differentiation, and consequently, this toxin's versatility to bind different receptors and their isoforms and act upon different substrates, thus infecting different hosts.
Collapse
|
8
|
Specific Isolation of Clostridium botulinum Group I Cells by Phage Lysin Cell Wall Binding Domain with the Aid of S-Layer Disruption. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158391. [PMID: 35955526 PMCID: PMC9368847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium botulinum is a notorious pathogen that raises health and food safety concerns by producing the potent botulinum neurotoxin and causing botulism, a potentially fatal neuroparalytic disease in humans and animals. Efficient methods for the identification and isolation of C. botulinum are warranted for laboratory diagnostics of botulism and for food safety risk assessment. The cell wall binding domains (CBD) of phage lysins are recognized by their high specificity and affinity to distinct types of bacteria, which makes them promising for the development of diagnostic tools. We previously identified CBO1751, which is the first antibotulinal phage lysin showing a lytic activity against C. botulinum Group I. In this work, we assessed the host specificity of the CBD of CBO1751 and tested its feasibility as a probe for the specific isolation of C. botulinum Group I strains. We show that the CBO1751 CBD specifically binds to C. botulinum Group I sensu lato (including C. sporogenes) strains. We also demonstrate that some C. botulinum Group I strains possess an S-layer, the disruption of which by an acid glycine treatment is required for efficient binding of the CBO1751 CBD to the cells of these strains. We further developed CBO1751 CBD-based methods using flow cytometry and magnetic separation to specifically isolate viable cells of C. botulinum Group I. These methods present potential for applications in diagnostics and risk assessment in order to control the botulism hazard.
Collapse
|
9
|
Hamad G, Ombarak RA, Eskander M, Mehany T, Anees FR, Elfayoumy RA, Omar SA, Lorenzo JM, Abou-Alella SAE. Detection and inhibition of Clostridium botulinum in some Egyptian fish products by probiotics cell-free supernatants as bio-preservation agents. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2022.113603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
10
|
Koukou I, Dahl Devitt T, Dalgaard P. Extensive growth and growth boundary model for non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum - Evaluation and validation with MAP and smoked foods. Food Microbiol 2021; 102:103931. [PMID: 34809957 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2021.103931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The growth inhibiting effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum was studied. LAB had no significant effect on growth of C. botulinum and their effect was not included in the model to be evaluated. An available cardinal parameter growth and growth boundary model for non-proteolytic C. botulinum (Koukou et al., 2021; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2021.109162) was evaluated using a total of 822 time-to-toxin (TTT) formation data extracted from the scientific literature for seafood, poultry, vegetables and meat products. These data included smoked products and food stored in air, vacuum or modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with added CO2. The available extensive model predicted TTT formation without bias (Bf-TTT value = 0.99) and with a reasonable accuracy (Af-TTT value = 1.76). The model was successfully validated for seafood and poultry products. This study substantially increased the range of applicability of the available growth and growth boundary model for non-proteolytic C. botulinum. The performed evaluation showed this model can be used to predict environmental conditions to prevent growth in seafood and poultry products including smoked fish and MAP foods. It is expected that this validated model will contribute to product development and innovation including new sodium reduced foods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioulia Koukou
- National Food Institute (DTU Food), Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Tina Dahl Devitt
- National Food Institute (DTU Food), Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Paw Dalgaard
- National Food Institute (DTU Food), Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 202, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Rapid Detection of Clostridium botulinum in Food Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094401. [PMID: 33919101 PMCID: PMC8122632 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins are considered as one of the most potent toxins and are produced by Clostridium botulinum. It is crucial to have a rapid and sensitive method to detect the bacterium Clostridium botulinum in food. In this study, a rapid detection assay of C. botulinum in food using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology was developed. The optimal primers were identified among three sets of primers designed specifically based on the partial ntnh gene encoding nontoxic-nonhaemagglutinin (NTNH) for rapid detection of the target DNA in plasmids. The optimal temperature and reaction time of the LAMP assay were determined to be 64 °C and 60 min, respectively. The chemical kit could be assembled based on these optimized reaction conditions for quick, initial high-throughput screening of C. botulinum in food samples. The established LAMP assay showed high specificity and sensitivity in detecting the target DNA with a limit of 0.0001 pg/ul (i.e., ten times more sensitive than that of the PCR method) and an accuracy rate of 100%. This study demonstrated a potentially rapid, cost-effective, and easy-operating method to detect C. botulinum in food and clinical samples based on LAMP technology.
Collapse
|
12
|
Charan N, Wong JMJ, Chan WSD, Ho ZJM, Sim HCJ, Loh JP, Foo LY, Octavia S, Ang M, Thoon KC. Infant botulism in Singapore. Singapore Med J 2021; 61:165-166. [PMID: 32488271 DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2020017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Charan
- Department of Paediatrics, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | - Ju-Ming Judith Wong
- Children's Intensive Care Unit, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | | | | | - Heng Chiak James Sim
- Department of Microbiology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.,Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Jin Phang Loh
- Biological Defence Programme, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore
| | - Ling Yann Foo
- Biological Defence Programme, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore.,Chemical, Toxins, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Programme, DSO National Laboratories, Singapore
| | - Sophie Octavia
- National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Singapore
| | - Michelle Ang
- National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Singapore
| | - Koh Cheng Thoon
- Paediatric Infectious Disease, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Farag MA, Mesak MA, Saied DB, Ezzelarab NM. Uncovering the dormant food hazards, a review of foodborne microbial spores' detection and inactivation methods with emphasis on their application in the food industry. Trends Food Sci Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2020.10.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
14
|
Tevell Åberg A, Karlsson I, Hedeland M. Modification and validation of the Endopep-mass spectrometry method for botulinum neurotoxin detection in liver samples with application to samples collected during animal botulism outbreaks. Anal Bioanal Chem 2020; 413:345-354. [PMID: 33119784 PMCID: PMC7806574 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-020-03001-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent toxins known and they cause the paralytic disease botulism in humans and animals. In order to diagnose botulism, active BoNT must be detected in biological material. Endopep-MS is a sensitive and selective method for serum samples, based on antibody capture, enzymatic cleavage of target peptides, and detection of cleavage products using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). In many cases of animal botulism, serum samples are not available or they do not contain detectable amounts of BoNT and liver sampling is an alternative for postmortem examinations. However, the Endopep-MS method is impaired by the inherent protease activity of liver samples. In the presented study, the Endopep-MS method has been successfully modified and validated for analysis of cattle, horse, and avian liver samples, introducing a combination of a salt washing step and a protease inhibitor cocktail. These modifications resulted in a substantial decrease in interfering signals and increase in BoNT-specific signals. This led to a substantial improvement in sensitivity for especially BoNT-C and C/D which are among the most prominent serotypes for animal botulism. Botulism was diagnosed with the new method in liver samples from dead cattle and birds from outbreaks in Sweden. Graphical Abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annica Tevell Åberg
- Department of Chemistry, Environment, and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, 751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ida Karlsson
- Department of Chemistry, Environment, and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, 751 23, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mikael Hedeland
- Department of Chemistry, Environment, and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden. .,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 574, 751 23, Uppsala, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Nepal MR, Jeong TC. Alternative Methods for Testing Botulinum Toxin: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2020; 28:302-310. [PMID: 32126735 PMCID: PMC7327137 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2019.200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Botulinum toxins are neurotoxic modular proteins composed of a heavy chain and a light chain connected by a disulfide bond and are produced by Clostridium botulinum. Although lethally toxic, botulinum toxin in low doses is clinically effective in numerous medical conditions, including muscle spasticity, strabismus, hyperactive urinary bladder, excessive sweating, and migraine. Globally, several companies are now producing products containing botulinum toxin for medical and cosmetic purposes, including the reduction of facial wrinkles. To test the efficacy and toxicity of botulinum toxin, animal tests have been solely and widely used, resulting in the inevitable sacrifice of hundreds of animals. Hence, alternative methods are urgently required to replace animals in botulinum toxin testing. Here, the various alternative methods developed to test the toxicity and efficacy of botulinum toxins have been briefly reviewed and future perspectives have been detailed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahesh Raj Nepal
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Cheon Jeong
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
High prevalence of Clostridium botulinum in vegetarian sausages. Food Microbiol 2020; 91:103512. [PMID: 32539985 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2020.103512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium botulinum is a significant food safety concern due to its ability to produce highly potent neurotoxin and resistant endospores. Vegetarian sausages have become a popular source of plant protein and alternative for meat products. While vegetarian sausages have not been linked to botulism, numerous outbreaks due to preserved vegetables suggest a frequent occurrence of C. botulinum spores in the raw material. The product formulation of vegetarian sausages involves limited NaCl and preservatives, and shelf-lives may be several months. The safety of vegetarian sausages thus relies mainly on heat treatment and chilled storage. The main food safety concern is C. botulinum Group II that can grow and produce toxin at refrigeration temperatures. Here we show a high overall prevalence (32%) of C. botulinum in 74 samples of vegetarian sausages from seven producers. Both Groups I and II strains and genes for neurotoxin types A, B, E and F were detected in the products. The highest cell counts (1200 spores/kg) were observed for C. botulinum Group II in products with remaining shelf-lives of 6 months at the time of purchase. We conclude that vacuum-packaged vegetarian sausage products frequently contain C. botulinum spores and may possess a high risk of C. botulinum growth and toxin production. Chilled storage below 3°C and thorough reheating before consumption are warranted.
Collapse
|
17
|
Circella E, Camarda A, Bano L, Marzano G, Lombardi R, D’Onghia F, Greco G. Botulism in Wild Birds and Changes in Environmental Habitat: A Relationship to be Considered. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9121034. [PMID: 31779284 PMCID: PMC6940729 DOI: 10.3390/ani9121034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple summary Human activities, even those aimed at improving a natural area, can interfere with wildlife and their environment, potentially leading to some changes. In this paper, a botulism outbreak which occurred in waterfowls in a nature reserve after a conservative action is reported. In particular, an artificial pond was created in order to improve the environment of waterfowls, but gray mullets (Mugil cephalus) settled in the pond and proliferated. Fish mortality was observed during summer, leading to an accumulation of decaying organic material, thus creating the optimal conditions for Clostridium botulin growth and toxin production. In the same period, the botulism outbreak with flaccid paralysis and sudden mortality rapidly occurred in waterfowls. The toxin mosaic type C/D was identified as responsible for the disease outbreak. The outbreak rapidly resolved after the removal of the fish carcasses, highlighting the importance of a correct management for any action in natural contexts. In conclusion, before considering any activity in wildlife habitats, it is important to assess first its possible impact on wildlife. Abstract Any human activity, even if aimed at the improvement of a natural area, can potentially affect wildlife, leading to possible short-term or long-term changes due to the human–wildlife interaction. In this study, a botulism outbreak which occurred in waterfowl in a nature reserve after a conservative environmental action is reported. More than 180 different species of wild birds, including seventy waterfowl species, live in the area. The wildlife reserve rangers built an artificial pond equipped with draining canals in the wetland in order to improve the environment of waterfowl species and to facilitate their supply of food. Then, presumably due to tidal rides, gray mullets (Mugil cephalus) arrived from the sea and settled in the pond. The number of fishes gradually increased, and several fishes died with a peak of mortality in the summer of 2017, creating a great amount of decaying organic material and the optimal conditions for Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin production. A botulism outbreak then occurred rapidly and was characterised by flaccid paralysis and sudden mortality of the birds. Seven mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), 4 common teals (Anas crecca), 1 garganey (Anas querquedula), 2 wood sandpipers (Tringa glareola), 1 little egret (Egretta garzetta), 1 little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis), and 4 Eurasian coots (Fulica atra) were found dead. Interestingly, the toxin identified as responsible for the disease outbreak was the mosaic of type C and D toxins (C/D type). The prompt removal of the fish carcasses led to a rapid resolution of the outbreak of the disease, highlighting the relevance of a correct management for any action in environmental contexts. The conclusion is that any human activity in wildlife habitats should be carefully considered in order to assess the possible impacts and to quickly identify the possible risks of changes in wildlife population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Circella
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", s.p. Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano BA, Italy; (A.C.); (R.L.); (F.D.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +39-080-467-9910
| | - Antonio Camarda
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", s.p. Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano BA, Italy; (A.C.); (R.L.); (F.D.); (G.G.)
| | - Luca Bano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 31100 Treviso, Italy;
| | - Giacomo Marzano
- Wildlife Nature Reserve “Torre Guaceto”, BR 72012 Carovigno, Italy;
| | - Roberto Lombardi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", s.p. Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano BA, Italy; (A.C.); (R.L.); (F.D.); (G.G.)
| | - Francesco D’Onghia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", s.p. Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano BA, Italy; (A.C.); (R.L.); (F.D.); (G.G.)
| | - Grazia Greco
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", s.p. Casamassima km 3, 70010 Valenzano BA, Italy; (A.C.); (R.L.); (F.D.); (G.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium perfringens Occurrence in Kazakh Honey Samples. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11080472. [PMID: 31412583 PMCID: PMC6723067 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11080472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess occurrence of Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium perfringens in honey samples from Kazakhstan. Analyses were carried out using a set of PCR methods for identification of anaerobic bacteria, and detection of toxin genes of C. botulinum and C. perfringens. Among 197 samples, C. botulinum was noticed in only one (0.5%). The isolated strain of this pathogen showed the presence of the bont/A and ntnh genes. C. perfringens strains were isolated from 18 (9%) samples, and mPCR (multiplex PCR) analysis led to them all being classified as toxin type A with the ability to produce α toxin. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA genes showed occurrence in 4 samples of other anaerobes related to C. botulinum, which were C. sporogenes and C. beijerinckii strains. C. botulinum prevalence in honey samples from Kazakhstan in comparison to the prevalence in samples collected from the other regions seems to be less. The highest prevalence of Clostridium sp. was noticed in the East Kazakhstan province. Our study is the first survey on BoNT-producing clostridia and C. perfringens prevalence in Kazakh honey.
Collapse
|
19
|
Grenda T, Grabczak M, Sieradzki Z, Kwiatek K, Pohorecka K, Skubida M, Bober A. Clostridium botulinum spores in Polish honey samples. J Vet Sci 2018; 19:635-642. [PMID: 29929360 PMCID: PMC6167343 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2018.19.5.635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was an examination of 240 multifloral honey samples collected from Polish apiaries to determine Clostridium botulinum occurrence. Honey was collected from apiaries directly after the extraction process. Samples were inoculated by using the dilution and centrifugation method. Suspected isolates were examined by using mouse bioassay, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and real-time PCR methods. C. botulinum type A and B strains were detected in 5 of 240 examined honey samples (2.1%). Bacterial strains were also detected that were phenotypically similar to C. botulinum but that did not exhibit the ability to produce botulinum toxins and did not show the presence of the botulinum cluster (ntnh and bont genes) or expression of the ntnh gene. The methods used in the examination, especially the expression analysis of ntnh gene, enabled specific analysis of suspected strains and could be used routinely in environmental isolate analyses of C. botulinum occurrence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Grenda
- Departments of Hygiene of Animal Feedingstuffs, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Magdalena Grabczak
- Departments of Hygiene of Animal Feedingstuffs, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Sieradzki
- Departments of Hygiene of Animal Feedingstuffs, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kwiatek
- Departments of Hygiene of Animal Feedingstuffs, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Krystyna Pohorecka
- Departments of Honey Bee Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Marta Skubida
- Departments of Honey Bee Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Andrzej Bober
- Departments of Honey Bee Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Bano L, Tonon E, Drigo I, Pirazzini M, Guolo A, Farina G, Agnoletti F, Montecucco C. Detection of Clostridium tetani Neurotoxins Inhibited In Vivo by Botulinum Antitoxin B: Potential for Misleading Mouse Test Results in Food Controls. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10060248. [PMID: 29921757 PMCID: PMC6024680 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10060248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of botulinum neurotoxin-producing Clostridia (BPC) in food sources is a public health concern. In favorable environmental conditions, BPC can produce botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) outside or inside the vertebrate host, leading to intoxications or toxico-infectious forms of botulism, respectively. BPC in food are almost invariably detected either by PCR protocols targeted at the known neurotoxin-encoding genes, or by the mouse test to assay for the presence of BoNTs in the supernatants of enrichment broths inoculated with the tested food sample. The sample is considered positive for BPC when the supernatant contains toxic substances that are lethal to mice, heat-labile and neutralized in vivo by appropriate polyclonal antibodies raised against purified BoNTs of different serotypes. Here, we report the detection in a food sample of a Clostridium tetani strain that produces tetanus neurotoxins (TeNTs) with the above-mentioned characteristics: lethal for mice, heat-labile and neutralized by botulinum antitoxin type B. Notably, neutralization occurred with two different commercially available type B antitoxins, but not with type A, C, D, E and F antitoxins. Although TeNT and BoNT fold very similarly, evidence that antitoxin B antiserum can neutralize the neurotoxic effect of TeNT in vivo has not been documented before. The presence of C. tetani strains in food can produce misleading results in BPC detection using the mouse test.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Bano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
| | - Elena Tonon
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
| | - Ilenia Drigo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
| | - Marco Pirazzini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padua, Italy.
| | - Angela Guolo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Farina
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
| | - Fabrizio Agnoletti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
| | - Cesare Montecucco
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, 35131 Padua, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
ZHOU S, TANG P, WANG YJ, WANG L, WANG DQ. Applications of Nanopore Sensing in Detection of Toxic Molecules. CHINESE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2040(18)61089-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
|
22
|
Mad'arová L, Dorner BG, Schaade L, Donáth V, Avdičová M, Fatkulinová M, Strhársky J, Sedliačiková I, Klement C, Dorner MB. Reoccurrence of botulinum neurotoxin subtype A3 inducing food-borne botulism, Slovakia, 2015. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 22:30591. [PMID: 28816652 PMCID: PMC6373608 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2017.22.32.30591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
A case of food-borne botulism occurred in Slovakia in 2015. Clostridium botulinum type A was isolated from three nearly empty commercial hummus tubes. The product, which was sold in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, was withdrawn from the market and a warning was issued immediately through the European Commission's Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). Further investigation revealed the presence of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) subtype BoNT/A3, a very rare subtype implicated in only one previous outbreak (Loch Maree in Scotland, 1922). It is the most divergent subtype of BoNT/A with 15.4% difference at the amino acid level compared with the prototype BoNT/A1. This makes it more prone to evading immunological and PCR-based detection. It is recommended that testing laboratories are advised that this subtype has been associated with food-borne botulism for the second time since the first outbreak almost 100 years ago, and to validate their immunological or PCR-based methods against this divergent subtype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Mad'arová
- Regional Authority of Public Health Banská Bystrica, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Brigitte G Dorner
- Robert Koch Institute, Consultant laboratory for neurotoxin-producing clostridia (botulism, tetanus), Berlin, Germany.,Robert Koch Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Schaade
- Robert Koch Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
| | - Vladimír Donáth
- F. D. Roosevelt Teaching Hospital, Department of Neurology, Slovak Medical University, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Mária Avdičová
- Regional Authority of Public Health Banská Bystrica, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Milota Fatkulinová
- Regional Authority of Public Health Banská Bystrica, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Strhársky
- Regional Authority of Public Health Banská Bystrica, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Ivana Sedliačiková
- Regional Authority of Public Health Banská Bystrica, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia
| | - Cyril Klement
- Regional Authority of Public Health Banská Bystrica, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia.,Slovak Medical University, Faculty of Public Health, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martin B Dorner
- Robert Koch Institute, Consultant laboratory for neurotoxin-producing clostridia (botulism, tetanus), Berlin, Germany.,Robert Koch Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Grenda T, Grabczak M, Kwiatek K, Bober A. Prevalence of C. Botulinum and C. Perfringens Spores in Food Products Available on Polish Market. J Vet Res 2017; 61:287-291. [PMID: 29978085 PMCID: PMC5894417 DOI: 10.1515/jvetres-2017-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium perfringens in food samples purchased from Polish producers. Material and Methods The analyses were performed on 260 food samples collected in Lublin and Subcarpathian regions: 56 of smoked meat, 21 of pork meat, 20 of dairy products, 26 of vegetable and fruit preserves, 40 of ready-to-eat meals, 27 of fish preserves, and 70 of honey collected directly from apiaries. Results C. botulinum strains were isolated from 2.3% (6/260) of samples and the isolates were classified as toxin types A (4/260) and B (2/260). C. perfringens strains were isolated from 14% (37/260) of samples. All the isolates were classified as toxin type A, 28 of them were able also to produce α toxin and 9 – β2 toxin. Conclusion On the basis of the obtained results it could be suggested that risk assessment, especially regarding the entire honey harvesting process, should be provided in order to ensure the microbiological safety of the products to be consumed by infants and people with a weakened immune system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Grenda
- Department of Hygiene of Animal Feedingstuffs, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | | | - Krzysztof Kwiatek
- Department of Hygiene of Animal Feedingstuffs, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| | - Andrzej Bober
- Department of Honey Bee Diseases National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Differentiating Botulinum Neurotoxin-Producing Clostridia with a Simple, Multiplex PCR Assay. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:AEM.00806-17. [PMID: 28733282 PMCID: PMC5583490 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00806-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diverse members of the genus Clostridium produce botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), which cause a flaccid paralysis known as botulism. While multiple species of clostridia produce BoNTs, the majority of human botulism cases have been attributed to Clostridium botulinum groups I and II. Recent comparative genomic studies have demonstrated the genomic diversity within these BoNT-producing species. This report introduces a multiplex PCR assay for differentiating members of C. botulinum group I, C. sporogenes, and two major subgroups within C. botulinum group II. Coding region sequences unique to each of the four species/subgroups were identified by in silico analyses of thousands of genome assemblies, and PCR primers were designed to amplify each marker. The resulting multiplex PCR assay correctly assigned 41 tested isolates to the appropriate species or subgroup. A separate PCR assay to determine the presence of the ntnh gene (a gene associated with the botulinum neurotoxin gene cluster) was developed and validated. The ntnh gene PCR assay provides information about the presence or absence of the botulinum neurotoxin gene cluster and the type of gene cluster present (ha positive [ha+] or orfX+). The increased availability of whole-genome sequence data and comparative genomic tools enabled the design of these assays, which provide valuable information for characterizing BoNT-producing clostridia. The PCR assays are rapid, inexpensive tests that can be applied to a variety of sample types to assign isolates to species/subgroups and to detect clostridia with botulinum neurotoxin gene (bont) clusters. IMPORTANCE Diverse clostridia produce the botulinum neurotoxin, one of the most potent known neurotoxins. In this study, a multiplex PCR assay was developed to differentiate clostridia that are most commonly isolated in connection with human botulism cases: C. botulinum group I, C. sporogenes, and two major subgroups within C. botulinum group II. Since BoNT-producing and nontoxigenic isolates can be found in each species, a PCR assay to determine the presence of the ntnh gene, which is a universally present component of bont gene clusters, and to provide information about the type (ha+ or orfX+) of bont gene cluster present in a sample was also developed. The PCR assays provide simple, rapid, and inexpensive tools for screening uncharacterized isolates from clinical or environmental samples. The information provided by these assays can inform epidemiological studies, aid with identifying mixtures of isolates and unknown isolates in culture collections, and confirm the presence of bacteria of interest.
Collapse
|
25
|
Chukwu EE, Nwaokorie FO, Coker AO, Avila-Campos MJ, Solis RL, Llanco LA, Ogunsola FT. Detection of toxigenic Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium botulinum from food sold in Lagos, Nigeria. Anaerobe 2016; 42:176-181. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2016.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
26
|
Lima COGX, da Rocha VM, Ferreira EDO, Filho JS, Serradas LR, Silva ROS, Lobato FCF, Domingues RMCP. Clostridium baratii: a rare case of pneumonia associated with an Alzheimer patient in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. JMM Case Rep 2016; 3:e005041. [PMID: 28348769 PMCID: PMC5330237 DOI: 10.1099/jmmcr.0.005041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 04/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Clostridium baratii is rarely associated with human diseases. Infection is usuallcaused by ingestion of contaminated food, and infant botulism is the most common clinical presentation. Case Report: Here we report a case of pneumonia by a non-toxigenic strain of C. baratii in an Alzheimer 70-year-old male with sepsis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The micro-organism was identified by phenotypical tests, mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF), DNA amplification (PCR) and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Testing for the presence of botulinum F toxin was made using multiplex PCR. Bioassay for a large number of colonies was performed in mice to evaluate the production of any lethal toxin, but the results were negative. Conclusion: To our knowledge, there are no cases of C. baratii infection reported in Brazil and we highlight the importance of anaerobic lab tests in the standard routine of diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Vinicius Magno da Rocha
- Hospital Universitário Gaffrée e Guinle , Rua Mariz e Barros, 755. Rio de Janeiro, RJ , Brazil
| | - Eliane de Oliveira Ferreira
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Laboratory of Anaerobes Biology, Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Bloco I-2. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Polo Xerém, Estrada de Xerém, 27. Duque de Caxias, RJ, Brazil
| | - Joaquim Santos Filho
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Laboratory of Anaerobes Biology , Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Bloco I-2. Rio de Janeiro, RJ , Brazil
| | - Lucia Rodrigues Serradas
- Hospital de Clínicas Rio Mar Barra LTDA , Avenida Candido Portinari, 555. Rio de Janeiro, RJ , Brazil
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Fohler S, Discher S, Jordan E, Seyboldt C, Klein G, Neubauer H, Hoedemaker M, Scheu T, Campe A, Charlotte Jensen K, Abdulmawjood A. Detection of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin genes (A-F) in dairy farms from Northern Germany using PCR: A case-control study. Anaerobe 2016; 39:97-104. [PMID: 27016061 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2016.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Classical botulism in cattle mainly occurs after ingestion of feed contaminated with preformed toxin. In 2001 a form of botulism ("visceral botulism") was postulated to occur after ingestion of Clostridium (C.) botulinum cells or spores, followed by colonization of the intestine, and local production of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) causing chronic generalized disease. To verify the potential role of C. botulinum in the described syndrome, a case-control study was conducted, including 139 farms. Fecal samples, rumen content, water and silage samples were collected on each farm. Real time BoNT gene PCR assays were conducted after enrichment in RCM (Reinforced Clostridial Medium) at 37 °C and conventional PCRs after enrichment in MCM (Modified Cooked Meat Medium) at 30 °C. Furthermore, a direct detection of BoNT genes without prior enrichment was attempted. BoNT A, B, C, D, E and F genes were detected in animal samples from 25 (17.99%), 3 (2.16%), 0 (0.0%), 2 (1.44%), 1 (0.72%), and 3 (2.16%) farms, respectively. Eleven feed samples were positive for BoNT A gene. By enrichment a significant increase in sensitivity was achieved. Therefore, this should be an essential part of any protocol. No significant differences regarding BoNT gene occurrence could be observed between Case and Control farms or chronically diseased and clinically healthy animals within the particular category. Thus, the postulated form of chronic botulism in cows could not be confirmed. This study supports the general opinion that C. botulinum can occasionally be found in the rumen and intestine of cows without causing disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Fohler
- Institute of Food Quality and Food Safety, Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Sabrina Discher
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Straße 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - Eva Jordan
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Straße 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - Christian Seyboldt
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Straße 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - Guenter Klein
- Institute of Food Quality and Food Safety, Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Heinrich Neubauer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Straße 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany.
| | - Martina Hoedemaker
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Theresa Scheu
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Amely Campe
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Katharina Charlotte Jensen
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Amir Abdulmawjood
- Institute of Food Quality and Food Safety, Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Souii A, M’hadheb-Gharbi MB, Gharbi J. Nucleic acid-based biotechnologies for food-borne pathogen detection using routine time-intensive culture-based methods and fast molecular diagnostics. Food Sci Biotechnol 2016; 25:11-20. [PMID: 30263230 PMCID: PMC6049363 DOI: 10.1007/s10068-016-0002-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Revised: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Diseases caused by food-borne pathogens constitute a major burden to consumers, food business operators, and national governments. Bacterial and viral pathogens are the major biotic factors influencing food safety. A vast array of culture dependent analytical methods and protocols have been developed. Recently, nucleic acid-based methods have begun to replace or complement culture-based methods for routine use in food control laboratories. Basic advantages provided by nucleic acid-based technologies are faster speed and more information, such as sub-species identification, antibiotic resistance, and food microbiology. In particular, PCR and alternative methods have been developed to a stage that provides good speed, sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility with minimized risk of carryover contamination. This review briefly summarizes currently available and developing molecular technologies that may be candidates for involvement in microbiological molecular diagnostic methods in the next decade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amira Souii
- The Higher Institute of Applied Biological Sciences of Tunis, University of Tunis El manar-Tunis, Rommana, 1068 Tunisia
- The Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, 5000 Tunisia
| | | | - Jawhar Gharbi
- The Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, 5000 Tunisia
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Bano L, Drigo I, Tonon E, Berto G, Tavella A, Woudstra C, Capello K, Agnoletti F. Evidence for a natural humoral response in dairy cattle affected by persistent botulism sustained by non-chimeric type C strains. Anaerobe 2015; 36:25-9. [PMID: 26432776 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2015.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Revised: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Bovine botulism is a sporadic acute disease that usually causes catastrophic losses in the herds. The unusual clinical evolution of a persistent mild outbreak in a dairy herd, prompted us to characterize the neurotoxin gene profile of the strain involved and to evaluate whether seroconversion had occurred. Diagnosis was based on mild classical symptoms and was supported by PCR and bacteriological findings, which revealed the involvement of a non-mosaic type C strain. An in-house ELISA was developed to detect antibodies to botulinum neurotoxin type C and its performance was evaluated in a vaccination study. Fifty days after the index case, fecal and serum samples were collected from the 14 animals of the herd and screened for Clostridium botulinum and anti-botulinum neurotoxin antibodies type C, respectively. The in-house developed ELISA was also used to test 100 sera samples randomly collected from 20 herds. Strong ELISA reactions were observed in 3 convalescent and 5 asymptomatic animals involved in the studied outbreak. The ELISA-positive cows all tested positive for non-mosaic C. botulinum type C in the feces and the same strain was also detected in the alfalfa hay, suspected to be the carrier source. Ten out of the 100 randomly collected sera tested positive for anti-botulinum neurotoxin type C antibodies: 7 had borderline values and 3 from the same herd showed titers three times higher than the cut-off. We concluded that type C botulism in cattle may occur with variable severity and that prolonged exposure to sublethal doses of botulinum neurotoxin C may occur, resulting in detectable antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Bano
- Diagnostic and Microbiology Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Vicolo Mazzini 4 int. 5/6, 31020, Villorba di Treviso, Italy.
| | - Ilenia Drigo
- Diagnostic and Microbiology Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Vicolo Mazzini 4 int. 5/6, 31020, Villorba di Treviso, Italy
| | - Elena Tonon
- Diagnostic and Microbiology Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Vicolo Mazzini 4 int. 5/6, 31020, Villorba di Treviso, Italy
| | - Giacomo Berto
- Diagnostic and Microbiology Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Vicolo Mazzini 4 int. 5/6, 31020, Villorba di Treviso, Italy
| | - Alexander Tavella
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via Conti 4, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Cedric Woudstra
- Food Safety Laboratory, French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety, 23 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94706, Maisons Alfort Cedex, France
| | - Katia Capello
- Epidemiological Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Viale dell'Università 10, 35020, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Agnoletti
- Diagnostic and Microbiology Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Vicolo Mazzini 4 int. 5/6, 31020, Villorba di Treviso, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Söderholm H, Derman Y, Lindström M, Korkeala H. Functional csdA is needed for effective adaptation and initiation of growth of Clostridium botulinum ATCC 3502 at suboptimal temperature. Int J Food Microbiol 2015; 208:51-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2015.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 05/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
31
|
Hammer TH, Jespersen S, Kanstrup J, Ballegaard VC, Kjerulf A, Gelvan A. Fatal outbreak of botulism in Greenland. Infect Dis (Lond) 2015; 47:190-4. [PMID: 25622940 DOI: 10.3109/00365548.2014.979434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Botulism commonly occurs when the anaerobic, gram-positive bacterium Clostridium botulinum, under suitable conditions, produces botulinum neurotoxins. Named A-F, these toxins are the immediate causative agent of the clinical symptoms of symmetrical, descending neurological deficits, including respiratory muscle paralysis. We present five cases of foodborne botulism occurring in Greenland, two with fatal outcome, caused by ingestion of tradionally preserved eider fowl. In the cases of the survivors, antitoxin and supportive care, including mechanical ventilation, were administered. In these cases recovery was complete. Microbiological assays, including toxin neutralization bioassay, demonstrated the presence of neurotoxin E in two survivors. The third survivor was shown by PCR to have the BoNT type E gene in faeces. This is the first report of cases of fatal botulism in Greenland. It underscores the importance of prompt coordinated case management effort in a geographically isolated area such as Greenland.
Collapse
|
32
|
Reindl A, Dzieciol M, Hein I, Wagner M, Zangerl P. Enumeration of clostridia in goat milk using an optimized membrane filtration technique. J Dairy Sci 2014; 97:6036-45. [PMID: 25129496 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2014-8218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anita Reindl
- Institute for Milk Hygiene, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Federal Institute for Alpine Dairying, Rotholz 50A, 6200 Jenbach, Austria
| | - Monika Dzieciol
- Institute for Milk Hygiene, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingeborg Hein
- Institute for Milk Hygiene, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Wagner
- Institute for Milk Hygiene, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Zangerl
- Federal Institute for Alpine Dairying, Rotholz 50A, 6200 Jenbach, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Derman Y, Söderholm H, Lindström M, Korkeala H. Role of csp genes in NaCl, pH, and ethanol stress response and motility in Clostridium botulinum ATCC 3502. Food Microbiol 2014; 46:463-470. [PMID: 25475316 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Revised: 08/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium botulinum is a notable food pathogen and responsible for botulism due to production of botulinum neurotoxin. Strains of C. botulinum can adapt to and survive in stress conditions and food processing. The cold shock protein coding genes (csp) are involved in growth at low temperature, but they may also possess other functions. In this mutational analysis we show that cspB and cspC, but not cspA, are important for NaCl, pH and ethanol stress responses and for motility of C. botulinum ATCC 3502. In all NaCl concentrations tested, the cspB mutant had lower maximum growth rate and, together with the cspC mutant, a longer lag phase compared to the wild-type strain. At low pH, the cspB and cspC mutants showed either lower maximum growth rates or longer lag phases compared to the wild type. In all ethanol concentrations tested, the cspB mutant had lower maximum growth rates and the cspC mutant had a longer lag phase than the wild-type strain. Motility was reduced in cspA and cspC mutants, and flagella formation was affected. The results suggest that cspB plays a universal role in stress response and cspC aids C. botulinum in NaCl, pH and ethanol stress in C. botulinum ATCC 3502.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yağmur Derman
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki University, Finland.
| | - Henna Söderholm
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki University, Finland.
| | - Miia Lindström
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki University, Finland.
| | - Hannu Korkeala
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, FI-00014 Helsinki University, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Auricchio B, Anniballi F, Fiore A, Skiby JE, De Medici D. Evaluation of DNA extraction methods suitable for PCR-based detection and genotyping of Clostridium botulinum. Biosecur Bioterror 2014; 11 Suppl 1:S200-6. [PMID: 23971807 DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2012.0082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Sufficient quality and quantity of extracted DNA is critical to detecting and performing genotyping of Clostridium botulinum by means of PCR-based methods. An ideal extraction method has to optimize DNA yield, minimize DNA degradation, allow multiple samples to be extracted, and be efficient in terms of cost, time, labor, and supplies. Eleven botulinum toxin-producing clostridia strains and 25 samples (10 food, 13 clinical, and 2 environmental samples) naturally contaminated with botulinum toxin-producing clostridia were used to compare 4 DNA extraction procedures: Chelex(®) 100 matrix, Phenol-Cloroform-Isoamyl alcohol, NucliSENS(®) magnetic extraction kit, and DNeasy(®) Blood & Tissue kit. Integrity, purity, and amount of amplifiable DNA were evaluated. The results show that the DNeasy(®) Blood & Tissue kit is the best extraction method evaluated because it provided the most pure, intact, and amplifiable DNA. However, Chelex(®) 100 matrix seems to be suitable for PCR-based methods intended for laboratory diagnosis of suspected outbreaks of botulism, because it is faster and cheaper compared to DNeasy(®) Blood & Tissue kit, and for samples in which the mean of Ct values obtained are statistically different (P>0.05) with respect to the best method, no lack of PCR amplification was shown. In addition, molecular methods for laboratory diagnosis currently are based on a microbial enrichment step prior to PCR, and so the differences in amplification seem to not influence the analytical results.
Collapse
|
35
|
Woudstra C, Tevell Åberg A, Skarin H, Anniballi F, De Medici D, Bano L, Koene M, Löfström C, Hansen T, Hedeland M, Fach P. Animal botulism outcomes in the AniBioThreat project. Biosecur Bioterror 2014; 11 Suppl 1:S177-82. [PMID: 23971804 DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2012.0074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Botulism disease in both humans and animals is a worldwide concern. Botulinum neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum and other Clostridium species are the most potent biological substances known and are responsible for flaccid paralysis leading to a high mortality rate. Clostridium botulinum and botulinum neurotoxins are considered potential weapons for bioterrorism and have been included in the Australia Group List of Biological Agents. In 2010 the European Commission (DG Justice, Freedom and Security) funded a 3-year project named AniBioThreat to improve the EU's capacity to counter animal bioterrorism threats. A detection portfolio with screening methods for botulism agents and incidents was needed to improve tracking and tracing of accidental and deliberate contamination of the feed and food chain with botulinum neurotoxins and other Clostridia. The complexity of this threat required acquiring new genetic information to better understand the diversity of these Clostridia and develop detection methods targeting both highly specific genetic markers of these Clostridia and the neurotoxins they are able to produce. Several European institutes participating in the AniBioThreat project collaborated on this program to achieve these objectives. Their scientific developments are discussed here.
Collapse
|
36
|
Anniballi F, Fiore A, Löfström C, Skarin H, Auricchio B, Woudstra C, Bano L, Segerman B, Koene M, Båverud V, Hansen T, Fach P, Tevell Aberg A, Hedeland M, Olsson Engvall E, De Medici D. Management of animal botulism outbreaks: from clinical suspicion to practical countermeasures to prevent or minimize outbreaks. Biosecur Bioterror 2014; 11 Suppl 1:S191-9. [PMID: 23971806 DOI: 10.1089/bsp.2012.0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Botulism is a severe neuroparalytic disease that affects humans, all warm-blooded animals, and some fishes. The disease is caused by exposure to toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum and other botulinum toxin-producing clostridia. Botulism in animals represents a severe environmental and economic concern because of its high mortality rate. Moreover, meat or other products from affected animals entering the food chain may result in a public health problem. To this end, early diagnosis is crucial to define and apply appropriate veterinary public health measures. Clinical diagnosis is based on clinical findings eliminating other causes of neuromuscular disorders and on the absence of internal lesions observed during postmortem examination. Since clinical signs alone are often insufficient to make a definitive diagnosis, laboratory confirmation is required. Botulinum antitoxin administration and supportive therapies are used to treat sick animals. Once the diagnosis has been made, euthanasia is frequently advisable. Vaccine administration is subject to health authorities' permission, and it is restricted to a small number of animal species. Several measures can be adopted to prevent or minimize outbreaks. In this article we outline all phases of management of animal botulism outbreaks occurring in wet wild birds, poultry, cattle, horses, and fur farm animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Anniballi
- Fabrizio Anniballi, CLT, is a Laboratory Technician; Alfonsina Fiore, PhD, is a Researcher; Bruna Auricchio, CLT, is a Laboratory Technician; and Dario De Medici, PhD, is Senior Researcher, all at Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Rome, Italy. Charlotta Löfström, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, and Trine Hansen, MSc, is a PhD student, both at the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Søborg, Denmark. Hanna Skarin, MSc, is a Research Assistant; Bo Segerman, PhD, is is a Researcher; Viveca Båverud, PhD, is Associate Professor; Eva Olsson Engvall, PhD, is Associate Professor; all in the Department of Bacteriology, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden, and Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden. Cédric Woudstra, MSc, is an Engineer, and Patrick Fach, PhD, is Head of the High Throughput qPCR Platform IdentyPath, both at the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES), Food Safety Laboratory, Maisons-Alfort, France. Luca Bano, PhD, is Veterinary Officer, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory of Treviso, Treviso, Italy. Miriam Koene, DVM, is a Scientist, Central Veterinary Institute of Wageningen University and Research Centre (CVI) , Lelystad, the Netherlands. Annica Tevell Åberg, PhD, is a Senior Researcher, and Mikael Hedeland, PhD, is Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the Department, Department of Chemistry, Environment and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute (SVA), Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Rapid Methods for Quality Assurance of Foods: the Next Decade with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-Based Food Monitoring. FOOD ANAL METHOD 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s12161-014-9915-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
38
|
Neuhaus J, Shehata AA, Krüger M. Detection of pathogenic clostridia in biogas plant wastes. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2014; 60:15-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s12223-014-0334-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
39
|
Kuchta T, Knutsson R, Fiore A, Kudirkiene E, Höhl A, Horvatek Tomic D, Gotcheva V, Pöpping B, Scaramagli S, To Kim A, Wagner M, De Medici D. A decade with nucleic acid-based microbiological methods in safety control of foods. Lett Appl Microbiol 2014; 59:263-71. [PMID: 24820436 DOI: 10.1111/lam.12283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2013] [Revised: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In the last decade, nucleic acid-based methods gradually started to replace or complement the culture-based methods and immunochemical assays in routine laboratories involved in food control. In particular, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was technically developed to the stage of good speed, sensitivity and reproducibility, at minimized risk of carry-over contamination. Basic advantages provided by nucleic acid-based methods are higher speed and added information, such as subspecies identification, information on the presence of genes important for virulence or antibiotic resistance. Nucleic acid-based methods are attractive also to detect important foodborne pathogens for which no classical counterparts are available, namely foodborne pathogenic viruses. This review briefly summarizes currently available or developing molecular technologies that may be candidates for involvement in microbiological molecular methods in the next decade. Potential of nonamplification as well as amplification methods is discussed, including fluorescent in situ hybridization, alternative PCR chemistries, alternative amplification technologies, digital PCR and nanotechnologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Kuchta
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Food Research Institute, Bratislava 26, Slovakia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Botulism in Greenland. Forensic Sci Int 2014; 238:e1-2. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2013] [Revised: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
41
|
DERMAN Y, KORKEALA H, SALO E, LÖNNQVIST T, SAXEN H, LINDSTRÖM M. Infant botulism with prolonged faecal excretion of botulinum neurotoxin and Clostridium botulinum for 7 months. Epidemiol Infect 2014; 142:335-9. [PMID: 23688392 PMCID: PMC9151104 DOI: 10.1017/s0950268813001258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2013] [Revised: 04/25/2013] [Accepted: 05/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
In Finland in April 2010, a 3-month old baby was diagnosed with type A infant botulism. He excreted botulinum neurotoxin and/or Clostridium botulinum in his faeces until November 2010. Five months of excretion was after clinical recovery and discharge from hospital. C. botulinum isolates recovered from the household dust in the patient's home were genetically identical to those found in the infant's stool samples. Long-term faecal excretion of C. botulinum may pose a possible health risk for the parents and others in close contact with the infant.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Y. DERMAN
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - H. KORKEALA
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - E. SALO
- Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland
| | - T. LÖNNQVIST
- Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland
| | - H. SAXEN
- Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland
| | - M. LINDSTRÖM
- Department of Food Hygiene and Environmental Health, University of Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Wangroongsarb P, Kohda T, Jittaprasartsin C, Suthivarakom K, Kamthalang T, Umeda K, Sawanpanyalert P, Kozaki S, Ikuta K. Molecular characterization of Clostridium botulinum isolates from foodborne outbreaks in Thailand, 2010. PLoS One 2014; 9:e77792. [PMID: 24475015 PMCID: PMC3903786 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Thailand has had several foodborne outbreaks of botulism, one of the biggest being in 2006 when laboratory investigations identified the etiologic agent as Clostridium botulinum type A. Identification of the etiologic agent from outbreak samples is laborious using conventional microbiological methods and the neurotoxin mouse bioassay. Advances in molecular techniques have added enormous information regarding the etiology of outbreaks and characterization of isolates. We applied these methods in three outbreaks of botulism in Thailand in 2010. Methodology/Principal Findings A total of 19 cases were involved (seven each in Lampang and Saraburi and five in Maehongson provinces). The first outbreak in Lampang province in April 2010 was associated with C. botulinum type F, which was detected by conventional methods. Outbreaks in Saraburi and Maehongson provinces occurred in May and December were due to C. botulinum type A1(B) and B that were identified by conventional methods and molecular techniques, respectively. The result of phylogenetic sequence analysis showed that C. botulinum type A1(B) strain Saraburi 2010 was close to strain Iwate 2007. Molecular analysis of the third outbreak in Maehongson province showed C. botulinum type B8, which was different from B1–B7 subtype. The nontoxic component genes of strain Maehongson 2010 revealed that ha33, ha17 and botR genes were close to strain Okra (B1) while ha70 and ntnh genes were close to strain 111 (B2). Conclusion/Significance This study demonstrates the utility of molecular genotyping of C. botulinum and how it contributes to our understanding the epidemiology and variation of boNT gene. Thus, the recent botulism outbreaks in Thailand were induced by various C. botulinum types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piyada Wangroongsarb
- Department of Medical Sciences, National Institute of Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Tomoko Kohda
- Department of Veterinary Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Karun Suthivarakom
- Department of Medical Sciences, National Institute of Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Thanitchi Kamthalang
- Department of Medical Sciences, National Institute of Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Kaoru Umeda
- Department of Microbiology, Osaka City Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Shunji Kozaki
- Department of Veterinary Science, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Ikuta
- Department of Virology, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Johnson AL, McAdams-Gallagher SC, Sweeney RW. Quantitative real-time PCR for detection of neurotoxin genes of Clostridium botulinum types A, B and C in equine samples. Vet J 2014; 199:157-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2013] [Revised: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
44
|
Bano L, Drigo I, Tonon E, Agnoletti F, Giovanardi D, Morandini E. Rice hulls as a possible source of Clostridium botulinum
type C spores for poultry. Vet Rec 2013; 173:427-8. [DOI: 10.1136/vr.f6521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. Bano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie; Vicolo Mazzini 4, 31020 Villorba Treviso Italy
| | - I. Drigo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie; Vicolo Mazzini 4, 31020 Villorba Treviso Italy
| | - E. Tonon
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie; Vicolo Mazzini 4, 31020 Villorba Treviso Italy
| | - F. Agnoletti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie; Vicolo Mazzini 4, 31020 Villorba Treviso Italy
| | - D. Giovanardi
- Laboratorio Tre Valli; Viale Apollinare Veronesi 5, 37132 San Michele Extra Verona Italy
| | - E. Morandini
- Agricola Tre Valli; Via Valpantena 18/G, 37138 Quinto di Valpantena Verona Italy
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Radšel A, Andlovic A, Neubauer D, Osredkar D. Infant botulism: first two confirmed cases in Slovenia and literature review. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2013; 17:651-6. [PMID: 23707631 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2013.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2012] [Revised: 04/10/2013] [Accepted: 04/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
In Europe, infant botulism is a rare but probably under-diagnosed disease. With the intent to spread the awareness of this potentially life-threatening disease, we present a review of the literature with the emphasis on European epidemiology and a practical approach to diagnosis. We also report the first two confirmed cases of infant botulism in Slovenia and describe our way to the final diagnosis in a clinical setting where all appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment options are not readily available. The second case is particularly interesting, presenting with profound diarrhea following initial constipation, an unlikely symptom for an infant with botulism and possibly caused by Bacteroides fragilis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anja Radšel
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Kalb SR, Barr JR. Mass Spectrometric Identification and Differentiation of Botulinum Neurotoxins through Toxin Proteomics. REVIEWS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2013; 32:189-196. [PMID: 26316676 PMCID: PMC4549225 DOI: 10.1515/revac-2013-0013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) cause the disease botulism, which can be lethal if untreated. There are seven known serotypes of BoNT, A-G, defined by their response to antisera. Many serotypes are distinguished into differing subtypes based on amino acid sequence and immunogenic properties, and some subtypes are further differentiated into toxin variants. Toxin characterization is important as different types of BoNT can respond differently to medical countermeasures for botulism, and characterization of the toxin can aid in epidemiologic and forensic investigations. Proteomic techniques have been established to determine the serotype, subtype, or toxin variant of BoNT. These techniques involve digestion of the toxin into peptides, tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) analysis of the peptides, and database searching to identify the BoNT protein. These techniques demonstrate the capability to detect BoNT and its neurotoxin-associated proteins, and differentiate the toxin from other toxins which are up to 99.9% identical in some cases. This differentiation can be accomplished from toxins present in a complex matrix such as stool, food, or bacterial cultures and no DNA is required.
Collapse
|
47
|
Singh AK, Sachdeva A, Degrasse JA, Croley TR, Stanker LH, Hodge D, Sharma SK. Purification and characterization of neurotoxin complex from a dual toxin gene containing Clostridium Botulinum Strain PS-5. Protein J 2013; 32:288-96. [PMID: 23625059 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-013-9486-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins are produced as a toxin complex (TC) which consists of neurotoxin (NT) and neurotoxin associated proteins. The characterization of NT in its native state is an essential step for developing diagnostics and therapeutic countermeasures against botulism. The presence of NT genes was validated by PCR amplification of toxin specific fragments from genomic DNA of Clostridium botulinum strain PS-5 which indicated the presence of both serotype A and B genes on PS-5 genome. Further, TC was purified and characterized by Western blotting, Digoxin-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, endopeptidase activity assay, and Liquid chromatography-Mass spectrometry. The data showed the presence of serotype A specific neurotoxin. Based on the analysis of neurotoxin genes and characterization of TC, PS-5 strain appears as a serotype A (B) strain of C. botulinum which produces only serotype A specific TC in the cell culture medium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ajay K Singh
- Divisions of Microbiology, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, College Park, MD 20740, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Ehling-Schulz M, Messelhäusser U. Bacillus "next generation" diagnostics: moving from detection toward subtyping and risk-related strain profiling. Front Microbiol 2013; 4:32. [PMID: 23440299 PMCID: PMC3579190 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2013.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The highly heterogeneous genus Bacillus comprises the largest species group of endospore forming bacteria. Because of their ubiquitous nature, Bacillus spores can enter food production at several stages resulting in significant economic losses and posing a potential risk to consumers due the capacity of certain Bacillus strains for toxin production. In the past, food microbiological diagnostics was focused on the determination of species using conventional culture-based methods, which are still widely used. However, due to the extreme intra-species diversity found in the genus Bacillus, DNA-based identification and typing methods are gaining increasing importance in routine diagnostics. Several studies showed that certain characteristics are rather strain-dependent than species-specific. Therefore, the challenge for current and future Bacillus diagnostics is not only the efficient and accurate identification on species level but also the development of rapid methods to identify strains with specific characteristics (such as stress resistance or spoilage potential), trace contamination sources, and last but not least discriminate potential hazardous strains from non-toxic strains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Ehling-Schulz
- Institute of Functional Microbiology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Vienna, Austria
| | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Validation of a 1-Day Analytical Diagnostic Real-Time PCR for the Detection of Salmonella in Different Food Meat Categories. FOOD ANAL METHOD 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s12161-013-9570-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
50
|
A universal primer multiplex PCR method for typing of toxinogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2012; 95:1579-87. [PMID: 22923133 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-012-4277-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Revised: 06/08/2012] [Accepted: 06/30/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a well-known opportunistic pathogen that can cause acute nosocomial necrotizing pneumonia and genetic disorder cystic fibrosis of lung patients. Pathogenic interactions between P. aeruginosa and hosts are often guided by the secreted virulence determinants that interact with specific host targets. Exotoxin A, pyocyanin, elastase, and type III secretion system are the most significant virulence determinants and cause great concern. However, P. aeruginosa in various environments has high genotypic diversity, leading to deficiency of exotoxin genes for some P. aeruginosa strains. In current study, a universal primer-multiplex PCR method (UP-MPCR) was employed for the detection of five significant enterotoxin genes (toxA, phzM, lasB, ExoU, and ExoS) and one internal control gene ecfX in P. aeruginosa. Owing to the application of universal primer (UP), different targeted products have identical amplified efficiency and the sensitivity of multiplex PCR is improved. In addition, the complexity of multiplex PCR system is reduced and the compatibility of primers in a reaction is greatly increased. This UP-MPCR method can detect the presence of five P. aeruginosa enterotoxin genes in a single assay more rapidly and sensitively than conventional methods. In 214 drinking water and environmental isolates, the ExoU, ExoS, phzM, toxA, and lasB genes were detected in 20 (9 %), 180 (84 %), 179 (84 %), 196 (92 %), and 171 (80 %) isolates, respectively.
Collapse
|