Biomaterial Database

Clostridium botulinum in fish. 1979

H H Huss, and A Pedersen

1407 fish caught in Scandinavian waters, the North Sea and the North Atlantic have been examined for the presence of Cl. botulinum. The incidence in gut samples expressed as percentage of fish tested was generally highest in fish from Scandinavian coastal waters and the Baltic Sea (4--43%), decreasing in fish from the North Sea (0--8%), and the organism was practically absent in fish from the North Atlantic. When gut samples were examined, the incidence was highest in demersal fish (cod and flatfish) as compared with pelagic fish (herring). The latter fish species were mainly contaminated on outer surfaces and gills. Only type E was detected in this survey, and Cl. botulinum was not detected in any wild fresh water fish. It is suggested that type E spores may originate in the sea bed and that they be spread by fish and water currents.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D003014	Clostridium botulinum	A species of anaerobic, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria in the family Clostridiaceae that produces proteins with characteristic neurotoxicity. It is the etiologic agent of BOTULISM in humans, wild fowl, HORSES; and CATTLE. Seven subtypes (sometimes called antigenic types, or strains) exist, each producing a different botulinum toxin (BOTULINUM TOXINS). The organism and its spores are widely distributed in nature.
D005399	Fishes	A group of cold-blooded, aquatic vertebrates having gills, fins, a cartilaginous or bony endoskeleton, and elongated bodies covered with scales.
D005516	Food Microbiology	The presence of bacteria, viruses, and fungi in food and food products. This term is not restricted to pathogenic organisms: the presence of various non-pathogenic bacteria and fungi in cheeses and wines, for example, is included in this concept.	Microbiology, Food
D005618	Fresh Water	Water containing no significant amounts of salts, such as water from RIVERS and LAKES.	Freshwater,Fresh Waters,Freshwaters,Water, Fresh,Waters, Fresh
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012537	Scandinavian and Nordic Countries	NORWAY; SWEDEN; DENMARK; ICELAND; and FINLAND.	Scandinavia,Nordic Countries
D012623	Seawater	The salinated water of OCEANS AND SEAS that provides habitat for marine organisms.	Sea Water,Sea Waters,Seawaters,Water, Sea,Waters, Sea