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

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.

Clinical and epidemiological features of typical food botulism in children in the Republic of Tajikistan

Aim. To study the clinical and epidemiological features of typical foodborne botulism in children.Materials and methods. We conducted an epidemiological investigation of 132 registered cases of typical foodborne botulism in the Republic of Tajikistan in 2019 and 2020. The clinical observation was carried out for 24 sick children in hospitals of the State Institution “City Children’s Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital” and the Central District Hospital of Gissar. The diagnosis was established based on clinical and epidemiological data with the establishment of patients’ consumption of preservatives prepared from vegetables at homeResearch and discussion. In the Republic of Tajikistan, according to the Republican Sanitary and Epidemiological Service for 2019 and 2020, only 132 patients with botulism were registered, with the largest number of diseases, 68 (51.5%), registered in 2019, and in 2021, 64 (48.5%). Analysis of the incidence of botulism for The presented period indicates that the disease in the Republic of Tajikistan was registered in the form of sporadic cases. Botulism disease was of a group (mostly familial) nature and in 2019 19 (14.4%) cases were detected, in 2020 17 (12.8%) cases with the number of victims from 3 to 5. The age structure of patients with botulism was predominantly adults (62%) over children (38%).Conclusion. Epidemiological features of typical foodborne botulism in children in the Republic of Tajikistan showed that in cases 78 (59.1%) of the disease, it was registered after the consumption of traditional canned homemade products in the form of mixed vegetable spices (shakarob) and the autumn-winter period (100%).

Advances in botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of pain

<i>Clostridium botulinum</i> (CB) is a Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium and a significant cause of food spoilage. Foodborne botulism occurs worldwide every year and even lead to death from respiratory distress in severe cases after eating botulism-contaminated food. The pathogenicity of CB lies in its ability to produce a potent neurotoxin, “botulinum toxin (BTX)”, for which eight different subtypes have already been isolated so far. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is widely used to treat critical clinical issues due to its good affinity and tolerability. Studies have shown that BTX-A injections effectively treat myofascial pain, inflammatory pain, and neuropathic pain. The current article mainly reviews the latest research progress using BTX-A in pain treatment during two years.

Foodborne Botulism in Western Romania: Ten Years’ Experience at a Tertiary Infectious Disease Hospital

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze epidemiological data concerning foodborne botulism in Western Romania over the last decade. Botulism, the toxin formed by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, results in a neuroparalytic disorder capable of severe clinical progression that begins in the cranial nerves and progressively descends. Preventing progression to a severe case entails timely diagnosis since curative assets are restricted. Ingesting food containing a preformed toxin (foodborne botulism) is the most typical form. Methods: Medical records were retrospectively analyzed from 2010 to 2020 for all food botulism cases. A seroneutralization test was performed with type A, B and E anti-botulinum sera to establish the kind of toxin involved. Results: Overall, 18 cases of foodborne botulism were admitted to the hospital during this period and confirmed by laboratory analysis. Most of the participants in our study were men (61.1%), and 77.8% of the total lived in rural areas. All the participants showed classic symptoms of botulism, and dysphagia was present in all cases. The trivalent ABE antitoxin was administered by the hospital, and toxin type B was isolated in all patients. The main sources of the toxin were pork, ham and canned pork meat. Conclusions: Stronger efforts are needed to foster community awareness of foodborne botulism, particularly in home-preserved food.

Mild Botulism From Illicitly Brewed Alcohol in a Large Prison Outbreak in Mississippi

Botulism is typically described as a rapidly progressing, severe neuroparalytic disease. Foodborne botulism is transmitted through consuming food or drink that has been contaminated with botulinum toxin. During a botulism outbreak linked to illicitly brewed alcohol (also known as “hooch” or “pruno”) in a prison, 11 (35%) of 31 inmates that consumed contaminated hooch had mild illnesses. This includes 2 inmates with laboratory confirmed botulism. The most frequently reported signs and symptoms among the 11 patients with mild illness included dry mouth (91%), hoarse voice (91%), difficulty swallowing (82%), fatigue (82%), and abdominal pain (82%). Foodborne botulism is likely underdiagnosed and underreported in patients with mild illness. Botulism should be considered on the differential diagnosis for patients with cranial nerve palsies.

Foodborne Botulism Outbreaks in the United States, 2001–2017

Foodborne botulism is an intoxication caused by ingestion of food containing botulinum neurotoxin. Cases of foodborne botulism are usually sporadic (single, unrelated) but outbreaks of two or more cases occur. In this mini-review we will examine the following for the period 2001–2017, in the United States: botulism surveillance data, outbreaks of botulism affecting 10 or more people, and the public health preparedness and response approach.