[Botulism]

Abstract

In view of large-scale outbreaks of botulism among waterfowl and farm animals in the Netherlands, studies were done designed to estimate the risks incurred by man. The presence of C. botulinum in the environment as well as contamination cycles and the potential for multiplication were studied. Raw materials used in the production of food were frequently found to be contaminated with types of C. botulinum pathogenic for man. The growth of C. botulinum in foods and meat preservatives other than nitrite were examined. To reduce the use of laboratory animals in research on botulism, immunological methods to detect botulinum toxins were developed.