Quantitative real-time PCR for detection of the neurotoxin gene of Clostridium botulinum type B in equine and bovine samples

Vet J. 2012 Oct;194(1):118-20. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.03.018. Epub 2012 Apr 24.

Abstract

Clostridium botulinum type B is estimated to cause more than 85% of cases of equine botulism in the United States, as well as many outbreaks in cattle. In this study, a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for detection of the neurotoxin gene of C. botulinum type B was compared to the mouse bioassay using 45 positive and 43 negative samples of equine, bovine or associated environmental origin. The sensitivity of the qPCR assay was 96%, whereas the sensitivity of the mouse bioassay was 84%. The specificity of the qPCR assay was 95% and the specificity of the mouse bioassay was 100%.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Assay / methods
  • Botulinum Toxins / genetics
  • Botulinum Toxins / metabolism*
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A
  • Botulism / diagnosis*
  • Botulism / microbiology
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cattle Diseases / microbiology
  • Clostridium botulinum / classification*
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horses
  • Mice
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • rimabotulinumtoxinB
  • Botulinum Toxins
  • Botulinum Toxins, Type A