Diversity of the Genomes and Neurotoxins of Strains of Clostridium botulinum Group I and Clostridium sporogenes Associated with Foodborne, Infant and Wound Botulism

Brunt, Jason, van Vliet, Arnoud H. M., Carter, Andrew T., Stringer, Sandra C., Amar, Corinne, Grant, Kathie A., Godbole, Gauri and Peck, Michael W. (2020) Diversity of the Genomes and Neurotoxins of Strains of Clostridium botulinum Group I and Clostridium sporogenes Associated with Foodborne, Infant and Wound Botulism Toxins, 12 (9).

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Abstract

Clostridium botulinum Group I and Clostridium sporogenes are closely related bacteria responsible for foodborne, infant and wound botulism. A comparative genomic study with 556 highly diverse strains of C. botulinum Group I and C. sporogenes (including 417 newly sequenced strains) has been carried out to characterise the genetic diversity and spread of these bacteria and their neurotoxin genes. Core genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis revealed two major lineages; C. botulinum Group I (most strains possessed botulinum neurotoxin gene(s) of types A, B and/or F) and C. sporogenes (some strains possessed a type B botulinum neurotoxin gene). Both lineages contained strains responsible for foodborne, infant and wound botulism. A new C. sporogenes cluster was identified that included five strains with a gene encoding botulinum neurotoxin sub-type B1. There was significant evidence of horizontal transfer of botulinum neurotoxin genes between distantly related bacteria. Population structure/diversity have been characterised, and novel associations discovered between whole genome lineage, botulinum neurotoxin sub-type variant, epidemiological links to foodborne, infant and wound botulism, and geographic origin. The impact of genomic and physiological variability on the botulism risk has been assessed. The genome sequences are a valuable resource for future research (e.g., pathogen biology, evolution of C. botulinum and its neurotoxin genes, improved pathogen detection and discrimination), and support enhanced risk assessments and the prevention of botulism.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions :	Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences > School of Veterinary Medicine
Authors :	Name Email ORCID Brunt, Jason van Vliet, Arnoud H. M. a.vanvliet@surrey.ac.uk Carter, Andrew T. Stringer, Sandra C. Amar, Corinne Grant, Kathie A. Godbole, Gauri Peck, Michael W.
Date :	11 September 2020
Funders :	Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
DOI :	10.3390/toxins12090586
Copyright Disclaimer :	© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Depositing User :	Clive Harris
Date Deposited :	05 Oct 2020 12:44
Last Modified :	05 Oct 2020 12:44
URI:	http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/id/eprint/858651

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