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DNA homology studies on Clostridium botulinum and related clostridial species

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6939394
The genetic relationships among toxigenic Clostridium botulinum and nontoxigenic C. subterminale and C. hastiforme were examined. DNA hybridization (hydroxyapatite method at 50/sup 0/C and 65/sup 0/C) was used to determine genetic relatedness among these organisms. DNA was labeled in vitro with /sup 32/P by the nick translation method. C. botulinum type G had less than 20% DNA relatedness with strains of C. botulinum types A, B and F. All nine strains of C. botulinum type G, two of 10 strains of C. subterminale, and one of three strains of C. hastiforme formed one DNA hybridization group, with DNA relatedness ranging from 76 to 100%. The remaining strains formed six smaller hybridization groups: two groups contained single strains of C. hastiforme, and the other four contained strains of C. subterminale. Thus, DNA hybridization data indicate that all strains of the toxigenic C. botulinum type G and the few strains of nontoxigenic C. subterminale and C. hastiforme form a single new species with toxigenicity as a variable characteristic.
Research Organization:
North Carolina Univ., Chapel Hill (USA)
OSTI ID:
6939394
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English