title: Quantitative real-time PCR for detection of the neurotoxin gene of Clostridium botulinum type B in equine and bovine samples.
abstract: Clostridium botulinum type B is estimated to cause more than 85% of cases of equine botulism in the United States, as well as many outbreaks in cattle. In this study, a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for detection of the neurotoxin gene of C. botulinum type B was compared to the mouse bioassay using 45 positive and 43 negative samples of equine, bovine or associated environmental origin. The sensitivity of the qPCR assay was 96%, whereas the sensitivity of the mouse bioassay was 84%. The specificity of the qPCR assay was 95% and the specificity of the mouse bioassay was 100%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA. amyjohn@vet.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Raymond W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Sweeney
authors.forename: Susan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: McAdams
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Whitlock
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A; D001906:Botulism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D003014:Clostridium botulinum / Q000145:classification*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D006736:Horses; D051379:Mice; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: C096323:rimabotulinumtoxinB; D001905:Botulinum Toxins; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A