Detection of Clostridium botulinum type B toxin in the presence of a lethal substance interfering with toxin neutralization.
A low molecular weight substance that induced seizures and death in mice was present in the stool of a child with infant botulism. This interfered with mouse bioassay used for detecting Clostridium botulinum toxin. After removal of the interfering substance by a prolonged dialysis with buffered saline, in vivo neutralization of botulinal toxin was readily achieved. Alternatively, the botulinal toxin was demonstrated in stool of the infant by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using antibodies produced in immunologically tolerant rabbits.
D000818:Animals; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity; D003014:Clostridium botulinum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005243:Feces / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D051379:Mice; D009500:Neutralization Tests
D001905:Botulinum Toxins