scholarly journals  Descriptive study of botulism in an Austrian dairy herd: a case report

2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (No. 3) ◽  
pp. 143-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kummel ◽  
R. Krametter-Froetscher ◽  
G. Six ◽  
R. Brunthaler ◽  
W. Baumgartner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Veterinary Medicine ◽  
Clostridium Botulinum ◽  
Dairy Farm ◽  
Dairy Herd ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Swallowing Difficulties ◽  
Botulinum Neurotoxins ◽  
The University ◽  
Healthy Calf

An outbreak of botulism was suspected at an Austrian dairy farm in June 2010. Six Simmental cows, out of a herd of 29, were affected and showed the typical signs. The affected cows included either animals suffering from sudden recumbency and reduced tongue tone or others which developed paresis, which gradually led to recumbency. Most of the affected animals died. Two cases were submitted to the Clinic for Ruminants at the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna in order to clarify the cause of illness. The animals had reportedly been fed recently with silage possibly polluted by discarded cat carcasses spread onto the pasture used for the silage in question. The two referred cases both showed recumbency and swallowing difficulties. Both cows had to be euthanized. One of the two cows was in the late stage of pregnancy and a healthy calf could be delivered by Caesarean section. The outbreak of botulism was diagnosed clinically as well as by confirmation of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxins C and D by mouse bioassay. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report in which a live calf has been delivered out of a cow suffering from acute botulism.  

scholarly journals A quadruplex real-time PCR assay for rapid detection and differentiation of the Clostridium botulinum toxin genes A, B, E and F

2010 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin A. Satterfield ◽  
Alvin F. Stewart ◽  
Cynthia S. Lew ◽  
David O. Pickett ◽  
Marissa N. Cohen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Clostridium Botulinum ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Biological Weapons ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Toxin Genes ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Botulinum Neurotoxins

Clostridium botulinum is the aetiological agent of botulism, a disease marked by flaccid paralysis that can progress to asphyxiation and death. This species is defined by the production of one of the botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), which are the most potent toxins known. Because of their potency, these toxins have the potential to be used as biological weapons, and therefore C. botulinum has been classified as a category A select agent. There are four related but antigenically distinct BoNT types that cause disease in humans, A, B, E and F. The mouse bioassay is the current gold standard by which BoNTs are confirmed. However, this method is expensive, slow and labour-intensive. Although PCR-based assays have been used extensively for the detection of BoNT-producing bacteria in food, animals and faecal samples, and recently to help diagnose disease in humans, no real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay has yet been developed that can identify and differentiate all four BoNTs that cause disease in humans. This report describes the development of a qPCR single-tube assay that uniquely identifies these four BoNTs responsible for human disease. A total of 79 C. botulinum isolates with varying toxin types was evaluated in this study, as well as numerous near-neighbours and other bacterial species. The results showed that this quadruplex assay was capable of detecting any of the four toxin genes in a given sample at a sensitivity of about 130–840 fg genomic DNA and could detect the presence of up to all four BoNT genes simultaneously in a given sample. The assay was also functional in the presence of extraneous organic matter commonly found in various environmental samples.

Methods for Detection of Clostridium botulinum Toxin in Foods†

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (6) ◽  
pp. 1256-1263 ◽  
Author(s):  
SHASHI K. SHARMA ◽  
RICHARD C. WHITING
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Botulinum ◽  
Botulinum Neurotoxin ◽  
Rapid Identification ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Botulinum Neurotoxins ◽  
Response Systems ◽  
Spore Forming Bacteria

Botulism is a deadly disease caused by ingestion of the preformed neurotoxin produced from the anaerobic spore-forming bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum neurotoxins are the most poisonous toxins known and have been a concern in the food industry for a long time. Therefore, rapid identification of botulinum neurotoxin using molecular and biochemical techniques is an essential component in the establishment of coordinated laboratory response systems and is the focus of current research and development. Because of the extreme toxicity of botulinum neurotoxin, some confirmatory testing with the mouse bioassay is still necessary, but rapid methods capable of screening large numbers of samples are also needed. This review is focused on the development of several detection methods for botulinum neurotoxins in foods.

scholarly journals Investigation of Botulinum Neurotoxin Types from Clostridium botulinum Causing A Recent Outbreak in Vietnam

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
La Thi Huong Huyen ◽  
Nguyen Thuy Linh ◽  
Nguyen Trung Thanh ◽  
Pham Yen
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Botulinum ◽  
Stop Codon ◽  
Food Poisoning ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Mouse Bioassay ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
Botulinum Neurotoxins ◽  
Specific Amplification ◽  
Foodborne Botulism

Clostridium botulinum is one of the causes of undiagnosed sudden deaths in humans due to the lethal botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs). Foodborne botulism rarely occurs in developed countries because of being closely monitored, in opposite to developing countries including Vietnam. In the August 2020 food poisoning outbreak in Vietnam, presence of Clostridium botulinum and BoNTs was identified by culture and mouse bioassay, however, information regarding the possible toxin types was unclear. To examine the types of toxin, we designed primers for specific amplification of gene regions encoding the light chain (LC) domains for both BoNT/A and BoNT/B. After optimization, the expected PCR products were sent for sequencing. The results showed that the sequence of gene encoding BoNT/A LC was 99.2% identical to the CB-27 strain. The sequence of gene encoding BoNT/B LC was approximately 98.8% identical to reference strains. Additionally, we analyzed the sequences of the inferred proteins and identified a substitution that resulted in an early stop codon as previously found in a defective form of BoNT/B. Collectively, we provided the first evidence for C. botulinum strain possessing A(b) type in this studied outbreak. Further enzyme activity and neutralization assays are necessary to validate this preliminary toxin typing.

Development of an in vitro cell-based bioassay for the detection of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxins by using mESC-derived neurons grown on multi electrode arrays

Toxicon ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 123 ◽  
pp. S44
Author(s):  
Stephen P. Jenkinson ◽  
Denis Grandgirard ◽  
Martina Heidemann ◽  
Anne Tscherter ◽  
Marc-André Avondet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Botulinum ◽  
Electrode Arrays ◽  
Botulinum Neurotoxins

FOALS ARE GETTING HELP

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. A96-A96
Author(s):  
J. F. L.
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Veterinary Medicine ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Birth Defects ◽  
Human Medicine ◽  
University Of Pennsylvania ◽  
Twin Brother ◽  
Pennsylvania Hospital ◽  
The University

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa.—Nearly as rare as the colt that grows up to be a racing champion is the birth of twin foals. Yet a tiny and brave filly and her weaker twin brother grow stronger every day here in an intensive care unit for newborn horses. Established in 1983 and directed . . . by Dr. Wendy E. Vaala, a . . . veterinarian, the University of Pennsylvania's intensive care unit for foals was built. . . . It is one of only seven such units in the country, and they have led to the development of a new specialty in veterinary medicine—equine neonatology. Recipes for formula fed to foals were borrowed from those used at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. The intensive care unit uses ultrasound equipment, heart monitors and other devices commonly used in human neonatal medicine. Treatments for infections, poisoning, ulcers, birth defects, even difficult births were adopted from human medicine. . . . But there are no incubators. . . .The foals are too active.

The University Rock Ensemble: Popular music learning and drumming in higher education

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-262
Author(s):  
Haley J. Nutt
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Popular Music ◽  
Ensemble Learning ◽  
North American ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Critical Assessment ◽  
Music Learning ◽  
American Higher Education ◽  
The University

This article provides a descriptive study of the FSU Rock Ensemble to demonstrate the value of providing inclusive popular music-based ensemble learning and opportunities in higher education. Beginning with an autoethnographic study of my experiences as a drummer in – and eventually director of – the non-auditioned ensemble, followed by a consideration of the attitudes articulated by several other drummers who recently participated in the ensemble, I analyse how musicians learn a traditionally non-academic music in an academic space. I conclude with a critical assessment of challenges that the group faced, with the hope that such considerations are useful for universities interested in establishing similar ensembles. Overall, the inclusive nature of the Rock Ensemble facilitated interactions that I argue are advantageous within the current climate of North American higher education, allowing students, drummers and non-drummers alike, unprecedented opportunities to perform music they love, forge new relationships and engage with the local community.

scholarly journals Internationalization at the University of São Paulo

2016 ◽  
Vol 95 (spe3) ◽  
pp. 5
Author(s):  
Raul Machado Neto
Keyword(s):  
Veterinary Medicine ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Law School ◽  
Human Sciences ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
College Of Agriculture ◽  
Engineering School ◽  
The University

The University of São Paulo, founded in 1934, started under the influence of important foreigners academicians in our campuses. The beginning of our university was the result of a fusion of the already existing colleges – Law School, School of Engineering, School of Pharmacy and Dentistry, College of Agriculture, Medical School, and School of Veterinary Medicine. In addition, in 1934, the School of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters was created being responsible for human sciences – Philosophy, History, Geography, Sociology – and hard sciences – Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry – that academically amalgamated the professional existing colleges. In the thirties, we benefited from the instabilities in Europe and important professors came to the University of São Paulo contributing remarkably to our successful trajectory.[...]

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