Research reports from P. Fach and co-authors provide new insights into botulism
2009 AUG 4 - (NewsRx.com) -- Researchers detail in 'Development of real-time PCR tests for detecting botulinum neurotoxins A, B, E, F producing Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium baratii and Clostridium butyricum,' new data in botulism. In this recently published study, investigators in Maisons-Alfort, France conducted a study "To develop real-time PCR assays for tracking and tracing clostridia responsible for human botulism. Real-time PCR assays based on the detection of the genes ntnh encoding the nontoxin-nonhaemagglutinin (NTNH) proteins or the most homologous regions of the botulinum neurotoxin (bont) genes have been developed together with four real-time PCR assays, each being specific of the genes bont/A, bont/B, bont/E, bont/F and enables a toxin type-specific identification." "The specificity of the assays was demonstrated using a panel of botulinum toxin producing clostridia (29 strains), nonbotulinum toxin producing clostridia (21 strains) and various other bacterial strains. The toxin type-specific assays had a sensitivity of 100 fg-1000 fg of total DNA in the PCR tube (25-250 genome equivalents) which correspond to 10(3) to 10(4) cells ml(-1). After a 48 h enrichment in anaerobic conditions, these PCR assays allowed the detection of Clostridium botulinum type A in a naturally contaminated sample of 'foie gras' suspected in a C. botulinum outbreak. These PCR tests are specific and reliable for detection of heterogeneous BoNT producing clostridia responsible for human botulism," wrote P. Fach and colleagues, . The researchers concluded: "AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Adoption of these PCR assays is a step forward a reliable and rapid detection of these clostridia in food samples." Fach and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Applied Microbiology (Development of real-time PCR tests for detecting botulinum neurotoxins A, B, E, F producing Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium baratii and Clostridium butyricum. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2009;107(2):465-73). For additional information, contact P. Fach, Agence Francaise de Securite Sanitaire des Aliments, Laboratoire d'Etudes et de Recherches sur la Qualite des Aliments et les Procedes Agro-alimentaires, Maisons-Alfort, France. The publisher of the Journal of Applied Microbiology can be contacted at: Blackwell Publishing Inc., 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, USA. Keywords: France, Maisons-Alfort, Antidystonic, Antiwrinkle, Applied Microbiology, Botulinum Toxin, Botulism, Clostridium, Neurotoxins. This article was prepared by World Disease Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, World Disease Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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