1,720,972 research outputs found
Household biowaste containers (bio-bins) - Potential incubators for Clostridium botulinum and botulinum neurotoxins
No full textIn previously conducted research, Clostridium botulinum spores were found in bio-waste compost. Household bio-waste, collected in 'bio-bins', was suspected to be one of the reasons for contamination. Maggots of Calliphoridae were collected inside and outside of bio-bins from 8 different locations in central Germany and examined for C. botulinum toxin and/or bacterial forms using standard mouse bioassay. Young maggots (instar 1) contained neither C. botulinum nor toxin, but these were found in instar 2 and 3 larvae. For the first time these results show that fly larvae out of bio-bins are not only a nuisance, but may be vectors of the potentially lethal C. botulinum
Clostridium botulinum and bio-compost. A contribution to the analysis of potential health hazards caused by bio-waste recycling
No full textBio-waste recycling and the production and use of bio-compost are politically encouraged in Europe. Quality control takes no consideration of pathogenic anaerobic spore formers, e.g. Clostridium botulinum. A protocol for health hazard analysis concerning this pathogen has been developed. Samples of marketed bio-compost were tested and results showed that about 50% of the tested samples contained C: botulinum. For the first time it has been shown that the use of bio-compost represents a health hazard to humans and animals, especially in the future when spores will have accumulated in the environment. The use of household bic-waste collected in bio-bins' is apparently one factor involved in the production of contaminated compost end-products. Environmental factors in the propagation of C botulinum are discussed. The improvement of bio-waste recycling technology and management should be encouraged in order to minimize the health hazard caused by contaminated bio-compost
From bacterial spore to death of the patient - the development cascade of botulism
No full textThe disease >>botulism>botulinomics<< starting with Clostridium botulinum in the environment resulting in contamination of feed, followed by toxinogenesis, toxic effects and finally to clinical disease. The authors' experience of the disease over the last few years together with a review of the published literature is discussed
From bacterial spore to death of the patient - the development cascade of botulism
No full textThe disease >>botulism>botulinomics<< starting with Clostridium botulinum in the environment resulting in contamination of feed, followed by toxinogenesis, toxic effects and finally to clinical disease. The authors' experience of the disease over the last few years together with a review of the published literature is discussed
A chronic disease of dairy cows associated with finding of botulism neurotoxin
No full textIn March 1999 the Bovine Health Service was asked to investigate an unknown disease in a larger dairy cattlestock. Problems had developed since 1995, until in December 1998 milk production had to be given up. Main symptoms were lameness (noninfectious chronic laminitis), digesting disturbances and unsatisfactory feed utilisation, circulation disturbances, decreases in weight and inexplainable death after fixation. Since 1997 extensive feed and metabolic investigations, clinical, microbiological and pathological investigations took place via different institutions. They did not furnish a note to the cause of the loss happening. Renewed laboratory tests regarding an intoxication resulted in the suspicion of a mycotoxicosis. Particularly mycotoxins from Fusarium species could be found in the feed and the bile acid from the cows. The valuation, proved however, very difficult. Practically no valuation could be given to the proof of certain mycotoxins. Sick calves were investigated in the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Leipzig - clinical, immunological, microbiological and pathological examinations took place. In this context, samples of faeces were investigated in the Institute for Tropical Animal Health, University of Gottingen. There was found free botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) in the faeces of calves. In other dairy cattlestock with similar problems BoNT in the faeces could be found likewise. Information for identical illness-found with finding of BoNT came also from other Lands of the Federal Republic. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, other Clostridium and Bacillus species were also discovered as reason for different diseases. A dysbacteriosis of intestinal tract with owergrowth of spore-forming organisms was observed. There are many questions about the reason of changed intestinal flora, the formation of BoNT, the role of Clostridium species and other reasons for the illness mentioned above. Scientific investigations must be carried out urgently
A chronic disease of dairy cows associated with finding of botulism neurotoxin
No full textIn March 1999 the Bovine Health Service was asked to investigate an unknown disease in a larger dairy cattlestock. Problems had developed since 1995, until in December 1998 milk production had to be given up. Main symptoms were lameness (noninfectious chronic laminitis), digesting disturbances and unsatisfactory feed utilisation, circulation disturbances, decreases in weight and inexplainable death after fixation. Since 1997 extensive feed and metabolic investigations, clinical, microbiological and pathological investigations took place via different institutions. They did not furnish a note to the cause of the loss happening. Renewed laboratory tests regarding an intoxication resulted in the suspicion of a mycotoxicosis. Particularly mycotoxins from Fusarium species could be found in the feed and the bile acid from the cows. The valuation, proved however, very difficult. Practically no valuation could be given to the proof of certain mycotoxins. Sick calves were investigated in the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Leipzig - clinical, immunological, microbiological and pathological examinations took place. In this context, samples of faeces were investigated in the Institute for Tropical Animal Health, University of Gottingen. There was found free botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) in the faeces of calves. In other dairy cattlestock with similar problems BoNT in the faeces could be found likewise. Information for identical illness-found with finding of BoNT came also from other Lands of the Federal Republic. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, other Clostridium and Bacillus species were also discovered as reason for different diseases. A dysbacteriosis of intestinal tract with owergrowth of spore-forming organisms was observed. There are many questions about the reason of changed intestinal flora, the formation of BoNT, the role of Clostridium species and other reasons for the illness mentioned above. Scientific investigations must be carried out urgently
Detection of botulinum neurotoxin - an overview and outlook
No full textLaboratory methods for the detection of botulinum toxins are insufficient as indicated in recent discussions,on bio-terrorism. Diagnostic veterinary laboratories experience problems with the absence of suitable methods with an increasing number of samples. The mouse bioassay remains the diagnostic method of choice. Alternative methods have, however, been developed, which could replace the use of animals in some instances. Data on test performance with complex sample material is only available for the mouse assay. All other assays have been tested with purified neurotoxins or culture supernatants. This short and incomplete review lists several suitable methods which are recommended for routine laboratory use
Botulinum toxins - Cause of botulism and systemic diseases?
No full textToxins of Clostridium botulinum (types A-G) are known as 'neurotoxins', causing the clinically well-known picture of flaccid muscular paralysis. The molecular biological background is the blocking of acetylcholine secretion in neuromuscular junctions by enzymatic cleavage of molecules forming the machinery of exocytosis. Two 'non-neurotoxins' (types C2, C3) are produced by some strains of C. botulinum types C and D. These affect the cytoskeleton by ribosylating actin filaments. All these toxins are used as cell biological tools for the study of specific actions and effects in different eukaryotic cells. Pharmaceutical and molecular biological research has shown their influence on several crucial organs (or cell cultures thereof) of humans and animals (brain and spinal cord, cerebellum, hippocampus, hypophysis, pancreas, adrenal glands, salivary glands and others). Under natural conditions, botulinum toxins may pass the intestinal barrier and circulate in the bloodstream for a certain time. Carriers occurring naturally in food, such as wheat germ agglutinin, digitonin or saponin, and bacterial toxins such as streptolysin O, perfringolysins, C2 toxin or botulinolysin may also form pores in cell walls. They facilitate the entry of botulinum toxins into cells that may not have natural binding receptors. It is concluded that in vivo actions of different botulinum toxins after their entry into the organism may contribute to the onset of different diseases of hitherto cryptogenic origin. Some examples are given and future problems are discussed
Detection of botulinum neurotoxin - an overview and outlook
No full textLaboratory methods for the detection of botulinum toxins are insufficient as indicated in recent discussions,on bio-terrorism. Diagnostic veterinary laboratories experience problems with the absence of suitable methods with an increasing number of samples. The mouse bioassay remains the diagnostic method of choice. Alternative methods have, however, been developed, which could replace the use of animals in some instances. Data on test performance with complex sample material is only available for the mouse assay. All other assays have been tested with purified neurotoxins or culture supernatants. This short and incomplete review lists several suitable methods which are recommended for routine laboratory use
Visceral botulism - A new form of bovine Clostridium botulinum toxication
No full textThere are reports of a hitherto unknown bovine disease in Germany. The symptoms are, in general, indigestion (constipation alternating with diarrhoea), non-infectious chronic laminitis, engorged veins, oedemas, retracted abdomen, emaciation and apathy. Most cases occur during the peripartal period and often result in unexpected death. In addition, there are findings of delayed growth and wasting in heifers, as well as decreasing milk yield. Clinical and standard laboratory examinations leave the origin undisclosed. Bioassays for Clostridium botulinum, its spores and toxins in animals of affected farms revealed the presence of free botulinum, toxin in the contents of the lower sections of the intestine, In two control farms without signs of the disease, the tests remained negative. This seems to support our hypothesis that long-lasting absorption of low quantities of botulinum toxin may interfere with the neurological control of intestinal physiology. The authors propose to name this disease complex 'visceral botulism'
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