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Pan-Genomic Analysis of Clostridium botulinum Group II (Non-Proteolytic C. botulinum) Associated with Foodborne Botulism and Isolated from the Environment.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Change log

Authors

van Vliet, Arnoud HM  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0203-1305
Stringer, Sandra C 
Carter, Andrew T 
Lindström, Miia 

Abstract

The neurotoxin formed by Clostridium botulinum Group II is a major cause of foodborne botulism, a deadly intoxication. This study aims to understand the genetic diversity and spread of C. botulinum Group II strains and their neurotoxin genes. A comparative genomic study has been conducted with 208 highly diverse C. botulinum Group II strains (180 newly sequenced strains isolated from 16 countries over 80 years, 28 sequences from Genbank). Strains possessed a single type B, E, or F neurotoxin gene or were closely related strains with no neurotoxin gene. Botulinum neurotoxin subtype variants (including novel variants) with a unique amino acid sequence were identified. Core genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis identified two major lineages-one with type E strains, and the second dominated by subtype B4 strains with subtype F6 strains. This study revealed novel details of population structure/diversity and established relationships between whole-genome lineage, botulinum neurotoxin subtype variant, association with foodborne botulism, epidemiology, and geographical source. Additionally, the genome sequences represent a valuable resource for the research community (e.g., understanding evolution of C. botulinum and its neurotoxin genes, dissecting key aspects of C. botulinum Group II biology). This may contribute to improved risk assessments and the prevention of foodborne botulism.

Description

Keywords

Clostridium botulinum, botulism, foodborne, neurotoxin, non-proteolytic, Botulinum Toxins, Botulism, Clostridium botulinum, Evolution, Molecular, Genome, Bacterial, Genotype, Neurotoxins, Phenotype, Phylogeny, Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide, Whole Genome Sequencing

Journal Title

Toxins (Basel)

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2072-6651
2072-6651

Volume Title

12

Publisher

MDPI AG
Sponsorship
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/J004529/1)