Millipore diffusion chambers (MDC) with 0.22-mum filters loaded with spores or vegetative cells of Clostridium botulinum were surgically implanted intraperitoneally (ip) into guinea pigs. MDC expose C. botulinum spores or vegetative cells to body fluids yet protect them from phagocytes. Guinea pigs receiving MDC containing 10(9) spores plus 10(8) polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes and MDC with ...

Introduction Accumulation of C. botulinum in soil occurs through excretion of bacterial spores from the intestines of humans, animals, birds and fish. In Georgia, during the winter season, the population consumes homemade vegetable preserves, which are made of locally produced (as well as imported) vegetables. Historical surveys confirmed that the presence of C. botulinum in the soil is widespr...

BACKGROUND Norwegian meadows, including those for silage production, are recently found heavily invaded by the slug Arion vulgaris in exposed areas. As a consequence, large numbers of slugs might contaminate grass silage and cause a possible threat to animal feed quality and safety. It is well known that silage contaminated by mammalian or avian carcasses can lead to severe outbreaks of botulis...

Millipore diffusion chambers (MDC) with 0.22-j,m filters loaded with spores or vegetative cells of Clostridium botulinum were surgically implanted intraperitoneally (ip) into guinea pigs. MDC expose C. botulinum spores or vegetative cells to body fluids yet protect them from phagocytes. Guinea pigs receiving MDC containing 109 spores plus 108 polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes and MDC with 109 ...

Pure spore antigens for the immunization of rabbits were prepared by enzymic digestion of vegetative components and separation of the cleaned spores in polyethylene glycol. Spore antisera were prepared to strains representative of toxigenic Clostridium botulinum type E; nontoxigenic boticin E-producing variants; nontoxigenic nonproducers of boticin E; nontoxigenic "atypical" strains, which diff...

A bacteriocin-like substance, active against strains of Clostridium botulinum type E, is produced by certain nontoxic organisms whose biochemical properties and morphological characteristics are similar to type E. The substance, for which the name "boticin E" is proposed, is bacteriolytic for vegetative cells and bacteriostatic for spores of type E. Its spectrum of activity is somewhat strain-s...

Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and sometimes by strains of Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium baratii. There are three main forms of botulism: foodborne botulism, caused by eating foods containing the botulinum toxin; wound botulism, caused by toxin produced in a wound infected with C. botulinum...

Growth initiated from detoxified spores of Clostridium botulinum 62A resulted in toxin production of 50 to 10,000 mouse lethal doses (MLD) per gram of processed soft surface-ripened cheese. Regular assays during subsequent storage of toxic samples at 2 to 4 C revealed a characteristic two- to fivefold increase in toxin titer during the initial 1 week to 12 months of storage. Thereafter, the tox...

Ionizing radiations are not presently used for sterilizing foods because undesirable flavor changes and other adverse effects often result at the required dosage levels. Morgani and Reed (1954) have showin that preliminary exposure to such radiations lowers the resistance of some bacterial spores to the lethal action of subsequent heat treatment. However, no work has been presented to indicate ...

Clostridium botulinum comprises a diverse group of botulinum toxin-producing anaerobic rod-shaped spore-forming bacteria that are ubiquitously distributed in soils and aquatic sediments. Decomposition of plants, algae, and animals creates anaerobic environments that facilitate growth of C. botulinum, which may then enter into food webs leading to intoxication of animals. Via saprophytic utiliza...