Clostridium botulinum
Published: March 10, 2008, 5:39 pm
Updated: March 10, 2008, 5:39 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Sidney Draggan Ph.D. Introduction
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have characterized Clostridium botulinum as the name of a group of bacteria commonly found in soil. These rod-shaped organisms grow best in low oxygen conditions.
The bacteria form spores which allow them to survive in a dormant state until exposed to conditions that can support their growth. There are seven types of botulism toxin designated by the letters A through G; only types A, B, E and F cause illness in humans. Clostridium botulinum is the bacterium that produces the nerve toxin that causes botulism.
Further Reading
- The Encyclopedia of Earth article Botulism supplements this entry.
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Citation
USDA::CDC (Content Source);Sidney Draggan Ph.D. (Topic Editor) "Clostridium botulinum". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth March 10, 2008; Last revised Date March 10, 2008; Retrieved May 26, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Clostridium_botulinum>
Introduction
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have characterized Clostridium botulinum as the name of a group of bacteria commonly found in soil. These rod-shaped organisms grow best in low oxygen conditions.
The bacteria form spores which allow them to survive in a dormant state until exposed to conditions that can support their growth. There are seven types of botulism toxin designated by the letters A through G; only types A, B, E and F cause illness in humans. Clostridium botulinum is the bacterium that produces the nerve toxin that causes botulism.
Further Reading
- The Encyclopedia of Earth article Botulism supplements this entry.
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Clostridium botulinum. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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