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Review
. 2015 May;166(4):290-302.
doi: 10.1016/j.resmic.2014.09.007. Epub 2014 Oct 12.

Historical and current perspectives on Clostridium botulinum diversity

Theresa J Smith  1 , Karen K Hill  2 , Brian H Raphael  3
Affiliations
Review

Historical and current perspectives on Clostridium botulinum diversity

Theresa J Smith et al. Res Microbiol. 2015 May.

Abstract

For nearly one hundred years, researchers have attempted to categorize botulinum neurotoxin-producing clostridia and the toxins that they produce according to biochemical characterizations, serological comparisons, and genetic analyses. Throughout this period the bacteria and their toxins have defied such attempts at categorization. Below is a description of both historic and current Clostridium botulinum strain and neurotoxin information that illustrates how each new finding has significantly added to the knowledge of the botulinum neurotoxin-containing clostridia and their diversity.

Keywords: Botulinum neurotoxins; Clostridium botulinum; Genomics; Serotype.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

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