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Toxins Aug 2019The aim of this study was to assess occurrence of and in honey samples from Kazakhstan. Analyses were carried out using a set of PCR methods for identification of...
The aim of this study was to assess occurrence of and 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 and . Among 197 samples, was noticed in only one (0.5%). The isolated strain of this pathogen showed the presence of the and genes. 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 , which were and strains. 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 sp. was noticed in the East Kazakhstan province. Our study is the first survey on BoNT-producing clostridia and prevalence in Kazakh honey.
Topics: Clostridium botulinum; Clostridium perfringens; DNA, Ribosomal; Honey; Kazakhstan; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 31412583
DOI: 10.3390/toxins11080472 -
Research in Microbiology May 2015For nearly one hundred years, researchers have attempted to categorize botulinum neurotoxin-producing clostridia and the toxins that they produce according to... (Review)
Review
For nearly one hundred years, researchers have attempted to categorize botulinum neurotoxin-producing clostridia and the toxins that they produce according to biochemical characterizations, serological comparisons, and genetic analyses. Throughout this period the bacteria and their toxins have defied such attempts at categorization. Below is a description of both historic and current Clostridium botulinum strain and neurotoxin information that illustrates how each new finding has significantly added to the knowledge of the botulinum neurotoxin-containing clostridia and their diversity.
Topics: Bacterial Typing Techniques; Botulinum Toxins; Clostridium botulinum; Genetic Variation; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Molecular Typing; Serotyping
PubMed: 25312020
DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2014.09.007 -
Research in Microbiology May 2015Recent developments in whole genome sequencing have made a substantial contribution to understanding the genomes, neurotoxins and biology of Clostridium botulinum Group... (Review)
Review
Recent developments in whole genome sequencing have made a substantial contribution to understanding the genomes, neurotoxins and biology of Clostridium botulinum Group I (proteolytic C. botulinum) and C. botulinum Group II (non-proteolytic C. botulinum). Two different approaches are used to study genomics in these bacteria; comparative whole genome microarrays and direct comparison of complete genome DNA sequences. The properties of the different types of neurotoxin formed, and different neurotoxin gene clusters found in C. botulinum Groups I and II are explored. Specific examples of botulinum neurotoxin genes are chosen for an in-depth discussion of neurotoxin gene evolution. The most recent cases of foodborne botulism are summarised.
Topics: Botulinum Toxins; Botulism; Clostridium botulinum; Evolution, Molecular; Foodborne Diseases; Genome, Bacterial; Humans; Microarray Analysis; Multigene Family; Sequence Analysis, DNA
PubMed: 25445012
DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2014.10.010 -
Research in Microbiology May 2015Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent toxins ever known. They are mostly produced by Clostridium botulinum but also by other clostridia. BoNTs associate with... (Review)
Review
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent toxins ever known. They are mostly produced by Clostridium botulinum but also by other clostridia. BoNTs associate with non-toxic proteins (ANTPs) to form complexes of various sizes. Toxin production is highly regulated through complex networks of regulatory systems involving an alternative sigma factor, BotR, and at least 6 recently described two-component systems (TCSs). TCSs allow bacteria to sense environmental changes and to respond to various stimuli by regulating the expression of specific genes at a transcriptional level. Several environmental stimuli have been identified to positively or negatively regulate toxin synthesis; however, the link between environmental stimuli and TCSs is still elusive. This review aims to highlight the role of TCSs as a central point in the regulation of toxin production in C. botulinum.
Topics: Botulinum Toxins; Clostridium botulinum; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Gene Regulatory Networks; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 25592073
DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2014.12.012 -
Research in Microbiology May 2015In Clostridium botulinum, the characteristics of type C and D strains are quite different from other types, and they are classified as group III. They produce C2 binary... (Review)
Review
In Clostridium botulinum, the characteristics of type C and D strains are quite different from other types, and they are classified as group III. They produce C2 binary toxin and C3 exoenzyme in addition to type C and D neurotoxins. Two different phages and many plasmids are identified in the organisms. The genes of neurotoxin and C3 exoenzyme are converted from toxigenic strains to non-toxigenic strains by the specific bacteriophages (phages), whereas, the C2 toxin gene is carried by large or small plasmids. Classification of type C and D strains has been in confusion because 1) antigenicity of type C and D neurotoxins is complex, 2) the cells produce two types of toxins, neurotoxin and C2 toxin, and 3) some non-toxigenic strains can be converted to produce C or D neurotoxin by the infection with phages. Until now, entire nucleotide sequences of cell chromosomes, phages, and plasmids have been determined. Since both genetic and protein-chemical analyses have been clarifying the above confusions, these data are reviewed historically.
Topics: Bacteriophages; Botulinum Toxins; Clostridium botulinum; Genome, Bacterial; Genomics; Genotype; Plasmids; Protein Processing, Post-Translational
PubMed: 25111022
DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2014.07.016 -
MSphere Aug 2021Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most toxic substances known to humankind and are the causative agents of the neuroparalytic disease botulism. Despite the overall...
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most toxic substances known to humankind and are the causative agents of the neuroparalytic disease botulism. Despite the overall importance of BoNTs in public health and safety, as a bioterrorism concern, and in pharmaceutical development, little is known about the molecular mechanisms mediating BoNT stability and degradation in various environments. Previous studies using Clostridium botulinum strain ATCC 3502 revealed that high levels of arginine (20 g/liter) repressed BoNT production approximately 1,000-fold. In the present study, the mechanisms of toxin reduction in arginine-enriched cultures of C. botulinum strain Hall A-, which we have previously genetically manipulated using ClosTron technology, were explored. Cultures were grown in toxin production medium (TPM) and TPM enriched with arginine. Cultures were analyzed for growth (optical density at 600 nm [OD]), changes in pH, and BoNT formation and stability. Our data indicate that arginine enrichment of C. botulinum strain Hall A- cultures results in a pH shift that induces pH-dependent posttranslational control mechanisms. We further show that independent of arginine, maintenance of an acidic culture pH during growth of C. botulinum strain Hall A- plays a central role in toxin stability and that an extracellular metalloprotease produced by the culture results in BoNT degradation at pH levels between ⁓6.5 and 8.0. Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is a public health and bioterrorism concern as well as an important and widely used pharmaceutical, yet the regulation of its synthesis by BoNT-producing clostridia is not well understood. This paper highlights the role of environmentally controlled posttranslational regulatory mechanisms influencing processing and stability of biologically active BoNTs produced by C. botulinum. The results of this work will help enhance public health and safety measures and our ability to evaluate safety risks of novel BoNTs and improve production and quality of BoNTs for pharmaceutical use.
Topics: Animals; Arginine; Botulinum Toxins, Type A; Clostridium botulinum; Culture Media; Female; Gene Expression Regulation; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Protein Processing, Post-Translational
PubMed: 34346710
DOI: 10.1128/mSphere.00328-21 -
Research in Microbiology May 2015Vegetative cultures of Clostridium botulinum produce the extremely potent botulinum neurotoxin, and may jeopardize the safety of foods unless sufficient measures to... (Review)
Review
Vegetative cultures of Clostridium botulinum produce the extremely potent botulinum neurotoxin, and may jeopardize the safety of foods unless sufficient measures to prevent growth are applied. Minimal food processing relies on combinations of mild treatments, primarily to avoid deterioration of the sensory qualities of the food. Tolerance of C. botulinum to minimal food processing is well characterized. However, data on effects of successive treatments on robustness towards further processing is lacking. Developments in genetic manipulation tools and the availability of annotated genomes have allowed identification of genetic mechanisms involved in stress tolerance of C. botulinum. Most studies focused on low temperature, and the importance of various regulatory mechanisms in cold tolerance of C. botulinum has been demonstrated. Furthermore, novel roles in cold tolerance were shown for metabolic pathways under the control of these regulators. A role for secondary oxidative stress in tolerance to extreme temperatures has been proposed. Additionally, genetic mechanisms related to tolerance to heat, low pH, and high salinity have been characterized. Data on genetic stress-related mechanisms of psychrotrophic Group II C. botulinum strains are scarce; these mechanisms are of interest for food safety research and should thus be investigated. This minireview encompasses the importance of C. botulinum as a food safety hazard and its central physiological characteristics related to food-processing and storage-related stress. Special attention is given to recent findings considering genetic mechanisms C. botulinum utilizes in detecting and countering these adverse conditions.
Topics: Clostridium botulinum; Food Handling; Food Microbiology; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Salinity; Stress, Physiological; Temperature
PubMed: 25303833
DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2014.09.011 -
Clinical Microbiology Reviews Apr 2006Botulism is a potentially lethal paralytic disease caused by botulinum neurotoxin. Human pathogenic neurotoxins of types A, B, E, and F are produced by a diverse group... (Review)
Review
Botulism is a potentially lethal paralytic disease caused by botulinum neurotoxin. Human pathogenic neurotoxins of types A, B, E, and F are produced by a diverse group of anaerobic spore-forming bacteria, including Clostridium botulinum groups I and II, Clostridium butyricum, and Clostridium baratii. The routine laboratory diagnostics of botulism is based on the detection of botulinum neurotoxin in the patient. Detection of toxin-producing clostridia in the patient and/or the vehicle confirms the diagnosis. The neurotoxin detection is based on the mouse lethality assay. Sensitive and rapid in vitro assays have been developed, but they have not yet been appropriately validated on clinical and food matrices. Culture methods for C. botulinum are poorly developed, and efficient isolation and identification tools are lacking. Molecular techniques targeted to the neurotoxin genes are ideal for the detection and identification of C. botulinum, but they do not detect biologically active neurotoxin and should not be used alone. Apart from rapid diagnosis, the laboratory diagnostics of botulism should aim at increasing our understanding of the epidemiology and prevention of the disease. Therefore, the toxin-producing organisms should be routinely isolated from the patient and the vehicle. The physiological group and genetic traits of the isolates should be determined.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Biological Assay; Botulinum Toxins; Botulism; Clostridium botulinum; Culture Media; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Genes, Bacterial; Humans; Infant; Mice; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Species Specificity
PubMed: 16614251
DOI: 10.1128/CMR.19.2.298-314.2006 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jan 2022produces the botulinum neurotoxin that causes botulism, a rare but potentially lethal paralysis. Endospores play an important role in the survival, transmission, and...
produces the botulinum neurotoxin that causes botulism, a rare but potentially lethal paralysis. Endospores play an important role in the survival, transmission, and pathogenesis of . strains are very diverse, both genetically and ecologically. Group I strains are terrestrial, mesophilic, and produce highly heat-resistant spores, while Group II strains can be terrestrial (type B) or aquatic (type E) and are generally psychrotrophic and produce spores of moderate heat resistance. Group III strains are either terrestrial or aquatic, mesophilic or slightly thermophilic, and the heat resistance properties of their spores are poorly characterized. Here, we analyzed the sporulation dynamics in population, spore morphology, and other spore properties of 10 strains belonging to Groups I-III. We propose two distinct sporulation strategies used by Groups I-III strains, report their spore properties, and suggest a putative role for the exosporium in conferring high heat resistance. Strains within each physiological group produced spores with similar characteristics, likely reflecting adaptation to respective environmental habitats. Our work provides new information on the spores and on the population and single-cell level strategies in the sporulation of .
Topics: Botulism; Cell Surface Extensions; Clostridium botulinum; Microbial Viability; Spores, Bacterial
PubMed: 35054941
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020754 -
Acta Biochimica Polonica 2013Bacteria of the Clostridium genus are often described only as a biological threat and a foe of mankind. However, many of them have positive properties and thanks to them... (Review)
Review
Bacteria of the Clostridium genus are often described only as a biological threat and a foe of mankind. However, many of them have positive properties and thanks to them they may be used in many industry branches (e.g., in solvents and alcohol production, in medicine, and also in esthetic cosmetology). During the last 10 years interest in application of C. botulinum and C. tetani in medicine significantly increased. Currently, the structure and biochemical properties of neurotoxins produced by these bacterial species, as well as possibilities of application of such toxins as botulinum as a therapeutic factor in humans, are being intensely researched. The main aim of this article is to demonstrate that bacteria from Clostridium spp. are not only pathogens and the enemy of humanity but they also have many important beneficial properties which make them usable among many chemical, medical, and cosmetic applications.
Topics: Botulinum Toxins; Chemical Industry; Clostridium botulinum; Cosmetics; Humans; Neurotoxins
PubMed: 24432307
DOI: No ID Found