The prevalence of Clostridium botulinum in European river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) in Finland

International Journal of Food Microbiology
Lauri O MerivirtaHannu Korkeala

Abstract

The prevalence of Clostridium botulinum types A, B, E and F in river lampreys caught in Finnish rivers was determined for the first time using a quantitative PCR-MPN (most probable number) analysis. One of 67 raw whole lampreys (1.5%) was positive for the botulinum neurotoxin type E gene, with the estimated C. botulinum count being 100spores/kg. Two type E strains were isolated from the positive sample and confirmed as different genotypes by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Although the current procedure of bringing the charcoal-broiled lampreys to market has been without any further packaging or extended storage, interest towards increasing the shelf life of the product by vacuum-packaging is increasing. Our results demonstrate that C. botulinum type E may constitute a safety hazard in processed lampreys from the Baltic Sea area if packaging and extended shelf lives are to be used. To control the potential risk, a storage temperature of 3 degrees C or below should be recommended for these products.

References

Jun 1, 1977·Canadian Journal of Microbiology·A H Hauschild, R Hilsheimer
Apr 1, 1980·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·H H Huss
Feb 17, 1998·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·S HielmH Korkeala
Aug 6, 1998·Epidemiology and Infection·E HyytiäH Korkeala
Oct 7, 1998·International Journal of Food Microbiology·H KorkealaS Hielm
May 1, 1999·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·E HyytiäH Korkeala
May 12, 2001·European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology·A BoyerG Bonmarchand
May 3, 2005·International Journal of Food Microbiology·Lauri O MerivirtaK Johanna Björkroth

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Citations

Apr 29, 2021·The Indian Journal of Medical Research·Jess VergisSukhadeo B Barbuddhe

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