Study findings on clostridium are outlined in reports from University of Helsinki, Medical Department
2009 JUN 2 - (NewsRx.com) -- "Comparative genomic hybridization analysis of 32 Nordic group I Clostridium botulinum type B strains isolated from various sources revealed two homogeneous clusters, clusters BI and BII. The type B strains differed from reference strain ATCC 3502 by 413 coding sequence (CDS) probes, sharing 88% of all the ATCC 3502 genes represented on the microarray," investigators in Helsinki, Finland report. "The two Nordic type B clusters differed from each other by their response to 145 CDS probes related mainly to transport and binding, adaptive mechanisms, fatty acid biosynthesis, the cell membranes, bacteriophages, and transposon-related elements. The most prominent differences between the two clusters were related to resistance to toxic compounds frequently found in the environment, such as arsenic and cadmium, reflecting different adaptive responses in the evolution of the two clusters. Other relatively variable CDS groups were related to surface structures and the gram-positive cell wall, suggesting that the two clusters possess different antigenic properties. All the type B strains carried CDSs putatively related to capsule formation, which may play a role in adaptation to different environmental and clinical niches. Sequencing showed that representative strains of the two type B clusters both carried subtype B2 neurotoxin genes. As many of the type B strains studied have been isolated from foods or associated with botulism, it is expected that the two group I C. botulinum type B clusters present a public health hazard in Nordic countries," wrote M. Lindstrom and colleagues, University of Helsinki, Medical Department. The researchers concluded: "Knowing the genetic and physiological markers of these clusters will assist in targeting control measures against these pathogens." Lindstrom and colleagues published their study in Applied and Environmental Microbiology (Comparative Genomic Hybridization Analysis of Two Predominant Nordic Group I (Proteolytic) Clostridium botulinum Type B Clusters. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2009;75(9):2643-2651). For additional information, contact M. Lindstrom, University of Helsinki, Faculty Vet. Medical, Dept. of Food & Environmental Hyg, POB 66, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland. The publisher of the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology can be contacted at: American Society Microbiology, 1752 N St. NW, Washington, DC 20036-2904, USA. Keywords: Finland, Helsinki, Botulism, Clostridium, University of Helsinki, Medical Department. This article was prepared by Health Risk Factor Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Health Risk Factor Week via NewsRx.com.
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