Estudo retrospectivo de surtos de botulismo no Brasil e no mundo

A distribuição do botulismo é mundial, com casos esporádicos ou surtos familiares, em geral, relacionados à produção e à conservação de alimentos de maneira inadequada. As intoxicações alimentares constituem um dos significantes problemas de saúde pública. O botulismo é uma doença grave, causada pelo Clotrisdium botulinum e deve ser considerado emergência médica e de saúde pública. De ocorrência súbita, caracteriza-se por manifestações neurológicas seletivas, de evolução dramática e elevada mortalidade, entre 30 e 65%. Devido a importância do botulismo como um problema de saúde pública, é indispensável relatar que o maior perigo de contaminação está nos alimentos preparados de forma artesanal, principalmente em conservas caseiras.

The distribution of botulism is worldwide, with sporadic cases or outbreaks family usually related to production and conservation of food improperly. The food poisoning is one of the significant public health problems. Botulism is a serious illness caused by Clostridium botulinum should be considered a medical emergency and public health. The sudden occurrence characterized by neurological manifestations selective evolution of dramatic and high mortality between 30 and 65%. Due to the importance of botulism as a public health problem, it is essential to report that the greatest danger of contamination in food is prepared by hand, especially in home canning.

Botulism in children: a diagnostic dilemma in developing countries

Botulism is a well-known disease of the neuromuscular junction. It is a rare but curable cause of paralysis in paediatric population. In addition to classical clinical signs and symptoms, the diagnosis of botulism requires laboratory confirmation of intoxication by various biological tests. These include demonstration of botulinum toxin in serum or isolation of the Clostridium botulinum from stool/gastric aspirates. However, it is not always possible to confirm intoxication due to unavailability of technical facilities, especially in resource limited countries like Pakistan. Under these circumstances, electrophysiological studies serve as an excellent diagnostic tool. These studies can provide quick diagnosis of botulism so that early administration of botulism immunoglobulin, if available, can reduce morbidity, mortality and length of stay in hospital. We report a case of botulism from Pakistan diagnosed on the basis of electrophysiological studies

Development of immunodetection system for botulinum neurotoxin type B using synthetic gene based recombinant protein.

Background & objectives: Botulinum neurotoxins (A-G) are among most poisonous substances in the world, produced by obligate anaerobic bacteria Clostridum botulinum. Among the seven serotypes A, B, E and F are of human importance. In India, the prevalence of C. botulinum as well as botulism outbreaks have been reported. Due to its extreme toxicity it has been classified in the Category A of biological warfare agent. So far, there is no commercial detection system available in India to detect botulism. The present study aims to develop an immuno detection system for botulinum neurotoxin serotype B using synthetic gene approach. Methods: The truncated fragment of the botulinum neurotoxin type B from amino acid 1-450 was synthesized using PCR overlap primers; the constructed gene was cloned in the pQE30UA vector and transformed to Escherichia coli SG 13009. The recombinant protein expression was optimized using various concentration of isopropylthiogalactoside (IPTG) induction, further the expression was confirmed by Western blot analysis using anti-His antibody. Recombinant protein was purified under denatured condition using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. Antibody was generated against the recombinant protein using alum adjuvant in BALB/c mice and tested for cross reactivity with other serotypes of C. botulinum as well as closely related clostridia. An ELISA test was developed for the detection of botulinum neurotoxin and the minimum detection limit was also estimated. Results: The recombinant protein was expressed at maximum yield at 4.3 h of post-induction with 0.5 mM IPTG concentration. The recombinant protein was purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography up to the homogeneity level. The polyclonal antibodies were raised in mice with a titre of 1:2048000. The developed antibody was highly specific with a sensitivity of detecting approximately 15 ng/ml of recombinant protein and not showing any cross-reactivity with other serotypes. Interpretation & conclusions: There is no commercial immunodetection system available in India to detect botulism. The developed detection system is highly specific. It will be useful for growing food industry to detect botulinum neurotoxin in food samples as well as in clinical samples.

Botulism in Brazil, 2000-2008: epidemiology, clinical findings and laboratorial diagnosis / Botulismo no Brasil, 2000-2008: epidemiologia, achados clínicos e diagnóstico laboratorial

Botulism is a rare and potentially lethal illness caused by Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin. We describe the findings of a laboratorial investigation of 117 suspected cases of botulism reported to the surveillance system in Brazil from January 2000 to October 2008. Data on the number and type of samples analyzed, type of toxins identified, reporting of the number of botulism cases and transmission sources are discussed. A total of 193 clinical samples and 81 food samples were analyzed for detection and identification of the botulism neurotoxin. Among the clinical samples, 22 (11.4 percent) presented the toxin (nine type A, five type AB and eight with an unidentified type); in food samples, eight (9.9 percent) were positive for the toxin (five type A, one type AB and two with an unidentified type). Of the 38 cases of suspected botulism in Brazil, 27 were confirmed by a mouse bioassay. Laboratorial botulism diagnosis is an important procedure to elucidate cases, especially food-borne botulism, to confirm clinical diagnosis and to identify toxins in food, helping sanitary control measures.

Botulismo é uma doença rara e potencialmente letal, resultante da ação de uma neurotoxina produzida pelo Clostridium botulinum. No presente estudo, estão descritos os resultados da investigação laboratorial de 117 casos suspeitos de botulismo notificados ao sistema de vigilância, ocorridos no Brasil no período de janeiro de 2000 a outubro de 2008. Os dados obtidos sobre as fontes de transmissão, os tipos de toxina identificados e de amostras analisadas serão discutidos. Foram analisadas 193 amostras clínicas e 81 amostras de alimentos para detecção e identificação de neurotoxina botulínica. Entre as amostras clínicas, 22 (11,4 por cento) amostras apresentaram resultado positivo para toxina (nove do tipo A, cinco do tipo AB e em oito o tipo não foi identificado) e entre as amostras de alimentos, oito (9,9 por cento) foram positivas (cinco do tipo A, uma do tipo AB e em duas o tipo não foi identificado). Dos 38 casos considerados positivos para botulismo, 27 foram confirmados pelo bioensaio em camundongo. O diagnóstico laboratorial de botulismo é importante para elucidação dos casos, principalmente de botulismo alimentar, para confirmação dos diagnósticos clínicos e identificação das toxinas nos alimentos, provendo subsídios para as medidas de controle sanitário.

Linden flower (Tilia spp.) as potential vehicle of Clostridium botulinum spores in the transmission of infant botulism / El té de tilo como vehículo potencial de esporas de Clostridium botulinum en la transmisión del botulismo infantil

Infant botulism is an intestinal toxemia caused principally by Clostridium botulinum. Since the infection occurs in the intestinal tract, numerous food products have been investigated for the presence of C. botulinum and its neurotoxins. In many countries, people use linden flower (Tilia spp) tea as a household remedy and give it to infants as a sedative. Therefore, to help provide a clear picture of this disease transmission, we investigated the presence of botulinum spores in linden flowers. In this study, we analyzed 100 samples of unwrapped linden flowers and 100 samples of linden flowers in tea bags to determine the prevalence and spore-load of C. botulinum. Results were analyzed by the Fisher test. We detected a prevalence of 3% of botulinum spores in the unwrapped linden flowers analyzed and a spore load of 30 spores per 100 grams. None of the industrialized linden flowers analyzed were contaminated with botulinum spores. C. botulinum type A was identified in two samples and type B in one sample. Linden flowers must be considered a potential vehicle of C. botulinum, and the ingestion of linden flower tea can represent a risk factor for infant botulism.

El botulismo del lactante es una toxiinfección causada, principalmente, por Clostridium botulinum. Debido a que esta infección ocurre en el tracto intestinal, la presencia de esta bacteria y sus neurotoxinas ha sido investigada en numerosos alimentos. En muchos países se utiliza el té de tilo (Tilia spp.) como sedante natural, el que se administra incluso a los lactantes. A fin de contribuir al esclarecimiento de la transmisión de esta enfermedad, se investigó la prevalencia y la carga de esporas botulínicas en esta hierba. Se analizaron 100 muestras de tilo comercializado a granel y 100 muestras de tilo industralizado en “saquitos”. Los resultados de prevalencia fueron analizados por el test de Fisher y la carga de esporas por la técnica del número más probable. Se halló una prevalencia de esporas de C. botulinum del 3% en el tilo comercializado a granel, con una carga de 30 esporas/100 g de hierba. En tanto, ninguna de las muestras en saquitos acusó la presencia del patógeno. Se identificaron tres cepas de C. botulinum, dos tipo A y una tipo B. En virtud de estos resultados, el tilo podría considerarse un potencial vehículo de esporas de C. botulinum y la administración de sus infusiones a menores y lactantes, un riesgo para la transmisión de la enfermedad.

Phenotypic characterization of Clostridium botulinum strains isolated from infant botulism cases in Argentina / Caracterización fenotípica de cepas de Clostridium botulinum aisladas de casos de botulismo del lactante en Argentina

Infant botulism is the most common form of human botulism; however, its transmission has not been completely explained yet. Some of the most recognized potential sources of Clostridium botulinum spores are the soil, dust, honey and medicinal herbs. In Argentina, 456 cases of infant botulism were reported between 1982 and 2007. C. botulinum type A was identified in 455 of these cases whereas type B was identified in just one case. However, in Argentina, types A, B, E, F, G, and Af have been isolated from environmental sources. It is not clearly known if strains isolated from infant botulism cases have different characteristics from strains isolated from other sources. During this study, 46 C. botulinum strains isolated from infant botulism cases and from environmental sources were typified according to phenotypic characteristics. Biochemical tests, antimicrobial activity, and haemagglutinin-negative botulinum neurotoxin production showed uniformity among all these strains. Despite the variability observed in the botulinum neurotoxin's binding to cellular receptors, no correlation was found between these patterns and the source of the botulinum neurotoxin. However, an apparent geographical clustering was observed, since strains isolated from Argentina had similar characteristics to those isolated from Italy and Japan, but different to those isolated from the United States.

El botulismo del lactante es la forma más común del botulismo humano; sin embargo, su forma de transmisión no ha sido totalmente explicada. El suelo, el polvo ambiental, la miel y algunas hierbas medicinales son potenciales fuentes de esporas de Clostridium botulinum. Entre 1982 y 2007 se informaron en Argentina 456 casos de botulismo del lactante, 455 casos debidos al serotipo A y uno al serotipo B. Sin embargo, los serotipos A, B, E, F, G y Af han sido aislados de suelos y otras fuentes en Argentina. No se conoce si las cepas aisladas de casos de botulismo del lactante poseen características diferentes de las cepas aisladas de otras fuentes. Durante este estudio se caracterizaron 46 cepas de C. botulinum. Las pruebas bioquímicas y de sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos y la producción de neurotoxina botulínica hemaglutinina-negativa mostraron uniformidad entre estas cepas. A pesar de la variabilidad observada respecto de la unión de la neurotoxina a receptores celulares, no se observó una correlación entre estos patrones de unión y la fuente de aislamiento. Sin embargo, se observó una aparente agrupación geográfica, ya que las cepas aisladas en Argentina tuvieron características similares a las observadas en las cepas aisladas en Italia y Japón, pero diferentes de las que se registraron en las cepas aisladas en los Estados Unidos.

Botulismo infantil: comunicación de un caso y revisión del tema / Infant botulism: case-report and literature review

Background: Infant botulism is a rare and potentially lethal neurological disease produced by the ingestion of a neurotoxin secreted by Clostridium botulinum, causing diffuse paralysis. Objective: Describe the first case in Chile since the establishment of an obligatory report and describe the diagnosis, clinical presentation and outcome. Case-report: A 2 months-old male with 48 hours of poor feeding and swallowing, weak cry, listlessness and constipation. He was admitted for hospitalization with probable sepsis and required tracheotomy due to apnea with failed endotracheal intubation, requiring mechanical ventilation for 150 days and hospitalization during 180 days. The diagnosis was confirmed by isolating Clostridium botulinum toxin from stool. Conclusion: The diagnosis of infant botulism requires a high suspicion index and the treatment includes intensive care monitorization with general support.

El botulismo infantil es una enfermedad infrecuente que ha sido confirmada sólo en menores de un año, se produce por ingestión de esporas de clostridium botulinum que producen una neurotoxina in vivo, la cual se absorbe y es responsable de la parálisis flácida descendente aguda característica de esta enfermedad. Objetivo: Presentación del primer caso descrito desde que la notificación es obligatoria en Chile y revisión del tema. Caso clínico: Lactante de 2 meses. Dos días previo al ingreso presenta succión débil, hiporeactividad y llanto disfónico, consultando en Servicio de Urgencia y decidiéndose su hospitalización. Estudio: hemograma, PCR, neuroimagenes, EEG LCR, EMG normales y toxicológico negativo. Se confirma Clostridium botulinum productor de la toxina botulínica tipo A. Requirió ventilación mecánica a través de traqueotomía por 150 días y es dado de alta a los 180 días. Conclusión: El diagnóstico requiere de un alto índice de sospecha, el tratamiento es de soporte evitando las complicaciones.

Contaminación microbiológica y actividad antimicrobiana del azúcar de caña cristalizado sobre algunos agentes de interés médico en Costa Rica

Microbiological contamination and antimicrobial activity of cristalised cane sugar on some medically important microorganisms in Costa Rica. Unrefined cristalised cane sugar, obtained after the filtration and evaporation of sugar cane juice, is a nutritional product of traditional consumption in Costa Rica and other Neotropical countries. It has been used in the topic treatment of infected wounds, with satisfactory results even with some antibiotic-ressistant bacteria. We studied the microbiological quality of 50 commercial samples. The analyses included total aerobic and anaerobic bacteria plate count; aerobic and anaerobic spore count; mold and yeast count; total and fecal coliforms; and presence of Clostridium botulinum. The antimicrobial effect was tested for Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), S. epidermidis (UCR 2902), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC 13076), Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 19116) and Aspergillus niger (Asni 06). Most of the samples (76 %) presented counts lower than 100 CFU/g especially for sporulated forms (90 % lower than 20 CFU/g), the mold and yeast count was higher (38 % higher than 102 CFU/g), demonstrating the importance of these microorganisms in the spoilage of the product; 76 % of the samples presented fecal contamination; C. botulinum was not isolated with the methodology employed. No inhibitory effect was observed for A. niger, but all samples han an inhibitory effect over the other species, especially for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (2): 431-437. Epub 2008 June 30.

La tapa de dulce o panela es un producto alimenticio de consumo tradicional, típico de países neotropicales, obtenido de la filtración y evaporación del jugo de la caña de azúcar. Además de su uso clásico como endulzante, en Costa Rica y otras partes del mundo se ha utilizado para el tratamiento tópico y empírico de heridas infectadas, con resultados satisfactorios, aún en infecciones por bacterias resistentes a diversos antibióticos. A fin de valorar el riesgo o beneficio de esta práctica, se evaluó la calidad microbiológica de 50 muestras de tapa de dulce de producción nacional obtenidas en trapiches, mercados y supermercados. Se realizaron recuentos bacterianos aerobios y anaerobios, de bacterias esporuladas y no esporuladas y de hongos y levaduras, se determinó el número de coliformes totales y fecales, la presencia de Clostridium botulinum y se evaluó el efecto antimicrobiano de este producto sobre algunos patógenos: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), S. epidermidis (UCR 2902), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 9027), Escherichia coli (ATCC25922), Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC 13076), Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 19116) y Aspergillus niger (Asni 06). La mayoría de las muestras (76%) presentaron recuentos bacterianos menores de 100 UFC/g, especialmente de esporulados (90% menos de 20 UFC/g), y recuentos de hongos y levaduras elevados (20% mayores a 100 UFC/g). Un alto porcentaje de las muestras presentó contaminación fecal (76%, NMP/g desde 3 hasta 460). No se logró aislar C. botulinum en ninguna de las muestras. Todas las muestras del producto concentrado desarrollaron halo de inhibición sobre los cultivos, principalmente sobre P. aeruginosa y S. aureus; pero no se observó ningún tipo de inhibición sobre A. niger.

Recurrent episodes of food borne botulism in a 7-year old boy

Botulism is the acute, descending, flaccid paralysis that results when the neurotoxin of Clostridium botulinum blocks neuromuscular transmission. C botulinum toxin is the most poisonous substance that blocks neuromuscular transmission and causes death through airway and respiratory muscle paralysis; all forms of botulism manifest neurologically as asymmetric, descending, flaccid paralysis beginning with the cranial nerve musculature. Food-borne botulism results from the ingestion of food in which C botulinum has multiplied and produced its toxin. We report a new case of food-borne botulism in a 7 year old boy with recurrent episodes of weakness, difficulty in swallowing and speech; bilateral ptosis and mydriasis. He had positive history of the same symptoms, documented twice before. The patient's samples were sent for detection of toxin of Clostridium botulinum, and toxin of C. botulinum, type A was found in his stool sample, confirming our diagnosis. This case was unusual report because our patient has not history of canned food ingestion and also because recurrent episodes of paralysis in this case are unusual findings in botulism. In this report we want to emphasize that canned-food ingestion is not necessary for diagnosis of food-borne botulism and because delayed treatment leads to increase mortality and morbidity, treatment should be initiated promptly on the basis of clinical suspicion

Pré-compostagem de cadáveres de bovinos acometidos pelo botulismo / The effect of composting cattle carcasses on botulinum spores and toxin content

Foram pré-compostados, em células individuais e isoladas, cinco cadáveres de bovinos acometidos pelo botulismo com a finalidade de monitorar a presença de esporos de Clostridium botulinum e de toxina botulínica antes e após o processo de decomposição em leira estática com fonte de carbono. O diagnóstico da intoxicação nos animais foi baseado nas características clínico-patológicas, epidemiológicas ou laboratoriais. Dos cinco bovinos com evolução clínica crônica de botulismo, cujos cadáveres foram pré-compostados, três foram acometidos pela toxina tipo D, um pelo complexo CD e um dos animais foi negativo na tentativa de detecção da toxina e de esporos da bactéria nas vísceras pelo bioensaio e neutralização em camundongo. O processo de pré-compostagem foi realizado em leira estática, com o uso de material carbonáceo umidificado como substrato e esquartejamento do animal, vedado individualmente com lona plástica e sem aeração por um período de 50 dias. A temperatura das leiras foi monitorada durante o período e oscilou de 40,5-52,4ºC. Após a abertura das leiras, pôde-se constatar a completa decomposição de todo material mole, com redução significativa do seu peso (de 26,5-44,5 por cento), restando apenas os ossos. Não foi detectado esporo ou toxina botulínica no interior dos ossos (n=5 para cada cadáver). Nas 200 amostras examinadas do homogeneizado restante (n=40 para cada cadáver), em apenas duas amostras de uma leira foram detectados esporos de C. botulinum tipo C, enquanto que todas foram negativas para a tentativa de detecção da toxina botulínica pelo bioensaio em camundongo. Da forma como foi avaliado o processo de pré-compostagem de bovinos mortos pela intoxicação botulínica não contribuiu para a proliferação de C. botulinum.

Five carcasses of cattle that died from botulism were composted in individual isolated beds with the purpose of monitoring the effect on spores of Clostridium botulinum and of botulinum toxin. The diagnosis of botulinum poisoning was based on clinical and pathological, epidemic and/or laboratorial characteristics. Of the five bovines with clinical signs of chronic botulism, three were affected by the type D toxin, one by the CD complex, and one was negative for toxin and spores of C. botulinum in the viscera using a mouse bioassay. The composting process was carried out in beds with carcasses cut up and mixed with sawdust as a carbon source. They were kept anaerobic under a plastic sheet for 50 days. The temperature of the beds was monitored during the period and oscillated from 40.5 to 52.4ºC. After this time, soft tissue had complete decomposed with a significant loss of weight (26.5-44.5 percent). The remaining bones no longer contained spores or botulinum toxin in the 5 samples taken from each carcass. Only 2 of the 200 samples of homogenized remaining (40 for each carcass) contained spores of C. botulinum type C. All samples were negative for botulinum toxin using the mouse bioassay. Composting carcasses of cattle that died from botulism eliminated botulinum spores and toxin from the remains.

Botulismo em aves domésticas - Gallus gallus domesticus relato de caso / Botulismo en aves domésticas Gallus gallus domesticus ? relato de caso / Botulism in domestic birds (Gallus gallus domesticus) ? case report

Botulismo é uma enfermidade que provoca uma paralisia fatal, causada pela toxina do Clostridium botulinum. O botulismo é observado na maioria das espécies avícolas, exceto os abutres, os quais são resistentes. A doença manifesta-se nas aves, apresentando os seguintes sinais clínicos: pescoço flácido incapaz de sustentar a cabeça, a qual apoia-se no piso, desprendimento das penas e paralisia flácida das asas. A toxina C, produzida pelo Clostridium botulinum, é a responsável pela doença. O presente trabalho relata casos de botulismo em aves domésticas, ocorridos na região de Conquista ? MG

Botulism is a fatal paralyses caused by the Clostridium botulinum toxin. It is observed in the majority of the avian species except vultures, which are resistant. The disease appears in birds and presents the following clinical signs: flaccid neck incapable of supporting the head, which is supported on the ground, dropping feathers, and flaccid paralysis involving the wings. Toxin-C, which is produced by Clostridium botulinum, is responsible for the disease. The present work relates botulism cases in birds, occurred in the region city of Conquista, MG, Brazil

Botulismo es una enfermedad que provoca una parálisis fatal, causada por la toxina del Clostridium botulinum. El botulismo es observado en la mayoría de las especies avícolas, excepto los buitres, los cuales son resistentes. La enfermedad se manifiesta en las aves, presentado los siguientes señales clínicos: cuello flácido incapaz de sostener la cabeza, apoyándose en el suelo, caída de las plumas y parálisis flácida de las alas. La toxina C, producida por el Clostridium botulinum, es La responsable por la enfermedad. Esta investigación relata casos de botulismo en aves domésticas, ocurridos en la región de Conquista ? MG

Ecology of Clostridium botulinum causing food-borne botulism in Thailand.

The objective of this study was to determine ecology of Clostridium botulinum from previous reported outbreaks. Geographical parameters and their corresponding settings were collected and analyzed. The averages (mean +/- SD) for % soil moisture, % humus and pH were 0.6 +/- 0.1% (range 0.5-0.7), 3.0 +/- 0.2% (range 3-3.2) and 5.2 +/- 0.1 (range 5.1-5.4), respectively. All outbreak settings shared the same sandy loam soil type. It can imply that provinces with this type of ecology may have sites harboring C. botulinum.

Detección de esporas de Clostridium botulinum en mieles / Detection of Clostridium botulinum in honey

Se examinaron 177 muestras de miel para la detección de Clostridium botulinum; 68 procedentes del comercio, 95 de apiarios envasados en origen, 8 de apiarios rurales para consumo familiar y 6 de establecimientos fraccionadores en las provincias de San Luis y Mendoza. Utilizando el método de dilución-centrifugación, se detectó C. botulinum tipo A en 2 muestras de apiarios rurales de San Luis (1,1 o/o); en una de ellas se logró la recuperación de la cepa y el recuento de esporas fue de 55/g de miel. Si bien el porcentaje de positividad fue inferior al de otros países, se recomienda no suministrar miel a niños menores de 1 año como prevención de botulismo del lactante

Surto de botulismo em bovinos alimentados com cama de frango no Brasil / An outbreak of botulism in cattle fed chicken litter in Brazil

An outbreak of botulism in bovines (Bos taurus) fed chicken litter in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, resulted in high mortality. High levels of the toxin of Clostridium botulinum type C was detected in the contents of intestines and liver of diseased catle as well as in the chicken litter used to feed these animals

Diagnóstico bacteriológico de un caso de botulismo infantil y primer aislamiento de C. botulinum en Chile / Bacteriological diagnosis of an infant botulism case and first isolation of C. botulinum in Chile

En noviembre de 1994 se recibió, en el Laboratorio de Anaerobicos del Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, una muestra de deposición de una lactante de dos meses de edad con el diagnóstico presuntivo de botulismo infantil. La muestra fus sembrada en los medios de cultivo correspondientes y en atmósfera anaerobia hasta obtener un cultivo puro. Este fue sometido a diferentes pruebas bioquímicas, las cuales fueron coincidentes con Clostridium botulinum grupo I. POsteriormente se procedió a confirmar el diagnóstico realizando el test de patogenicidad y neutralización en ratones CF-1. En base a los resultados observados se concluyó que la cepa aislada correspondía a clostridium botulinum grupo I tipo A, lo cual fue confirmado por el Centers for Disease Control de Atlanta. Este fue el primer aislamiento de C. botulinum a partir de una muestra clínica en Chile

Toxigênese de Clostridium botulinum em patê de frango submetido a estocagem inadequada / Clostridium botulinum toxigenesis in chicken pat at inappropriate storage

Patê de frango elaborado em cozinha experimental foi inoculado com esporos de Clostridium botulinum dos tipos A (ATCC25763) e B(ATCC7949) numa concentraçäo de 100 esporos/g de massa de patê. Após inoculaçäo dos esporos, o produto foi embutido em invólucro de poliamida e submetido a tratamento térmico à temperatura de 95 - 100-C durante 30 minutos seguido de resfriamento. O produto obtido foi entäo deixado em temperaturas de 25-C e de 35-C. Após 1/2, 1 11/2, 2, 3 e 4 semanas, foram feitos ensaios para detecçäo de toxina botulínica. Análises físico-químicas para determinar atividade de água, pH, umidade, concentraçäo de cloreto de sódio e de nitrito de sódio foram realizadas em amostras que näo foram inoculadas com os esporos. Os resultados obtidos indicaram toxigênese nas amostras mantidas à temperatura de 35-C após uma semana. A diminuiçäo do nível de nitrito residual também foi observado ao longo do tempo do experimento. A temperatura e 25-C, até 4 semanas, näo foi detectada toxina botulínica

Clostridium botulinum tipos D y A en materiales de necropsia de bovinos afectados por el mal de Aguapey / Clostridium botulinum type D and A in necropsy materials of bovines affected by Aguapey disease

Se realizaron exámenes bacteriológicos en materiales de necropsia de cinco animales muertos con diagnóstico clínico de botulismo bovino, enfermedad enzoótica regional llamada Mal de Aguapey (Provincia de Corrientes). Se identificó C. botulinum tipo D o su toxina en todos los animales, alternativamente en contenidos de rumen, yeyuno, íleon y ciego, y en muestras obtenidas de bazo, riñon e hígado. C. botulinum tipo A fue identificado, respectivamente, en hígado y riñón de dos animales. En los cultivos de cien muestras de diferentes tipos de suelo tomados en el área enzoótica, se identificó toxina butulínica sólo del tipo A en tres y en ninguna tipo D. Estos resultados amplían y confirman los hallazgos previos realizados sobre la etiología botulínica del Mal de Aguapey