Clostridium botulinum

Clostridium botulinum is an anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium that produces dangerous toxins (botulinum toxins) that can grow in food and cause a severe form of food poisoning. In addition, botulism can also be caused by intestinal infection with C. botulinum in infants, wound infections, and inhalation. There are 7 distinct forms of botulinum toxin (types A–G) and four of these (types A, B, E, and rarely F) cause human botulism. Types C, D, and E cause illness in other mammals, birds, and fish. C. botulinum neurotoxins can be detected in food using sandwich ELISA, lateral flow, or molecular tests.