[Incidence of Clostridium botulinum in the rumen contents and faeces of cattle fed brewers' grains naturally contaminated with Clostridium botulinum (author's transl)]

Abstract

The number of Clostridium botulinum type B organisms excreted by cattle fed brewers' grains in which these organisms were found to be present and the period for which they were excreted, were studied. Large numbers (10(5) - 10(7) per gramme) of these organisms were detected in the rumen contents and faeces of the animals. When feeding brewers' grains was discontinued, Cl. botulinum type B was still detectable in the faeces for a considerable period (greater than eight weeks). There was evidence to suggest that the number of Cl. botulinum organisms multiplies in the gastrointestinal tract of cattle.