title: Multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis as a tool for molecular epidemiology of botulism: The Italian experience.
abstract: Clostridium botulinum is the bacterial agent of botulism, a rare but severe neuro-paralytic disease. Because of its high impact, in Italy botulism is monitored by an ad hoc surveillance system. The National Reference Centre for Botulism, as part of this system, collects and analyzes all demographic, epidemiologic, microbiological, and molecular data recovered during cases and/or outbreaks occurred in Italy. A panel of 312 C. botulinum strains belonging to group I were submitted to MLVA sub-typing. Strains, isolated from clinical specimens, food and environmental samples collected during the surveillance activities, were representative of all forms of botulism from all Italian regions. Through clustering analysis isolates were grouped into 12 main clusters. No regional or temporal clustering was detected, demonstrating the high heterogeneity of strains circulating in Italy. This study confirmed that MLVA is capable of sub-typing C. botulinum strains. Moreover, MLVA is effective at tracing and tracking the source of contamination and is helpful for the surveillance system in terms of planning and upgrading of procedures, activities and data collection forms.
authors: National Reference Centre for Botulism, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety. Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: fabrizio.anniballi@iss.it.
authors: Fabrizio
authors: F
authors: Anniballi
authors: Histology and Molecular Biology Unit, Section Two, Army Medical and Veterinary Research Centre, 00184 Rome, Italy.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Fillo
authors: Histology and Molecular Biology Unit, Section Two, Army Medical and Veterinary Research Centre, 00184 Rome, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Giordani
authors: National Reference Centre for Botulism, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety. Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors: Bruna
authors: B
authors: Auricchio
authors: Histology and Molecular Biology Unit, Section Two, Army Medical and Veterinary Research Centre, 00184 Rome, Italy.
authors: Domenico Azarnia
authors: DA
authors: Tehran
authors: Histology and Molecular Biology Unit, Section Two, Army Medical and Veterinary Research Centre, 00184 Rome, Italy.
authors: Enrica
authors: E
authors: di Stefano
authors: PENTA - The Joint Laboratory on Models and Methodology to Predict and Manage Large Scale Threats to Public Health - International Affair Unit. Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors: Giuseppina
authors: G
authors: Mandarino
authors: National Reference Centre for Botulism, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety. Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors: Dario
authors: D
authors: De Medici
authors: Histology and Molecular Biology Unit, Section Two, Army Medical and Veterinary Research Centre, 00184 Rome, Italy.
authors: Florigio
authors: F
authors: Lista
mesh_terms: D001906:Botulism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D003014:Clostridium botulinum / Q000235:genetics*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology / Q000379:methods*; D058885:Multilocus Sequence Typing; D020080:Tandem Repeat Sequences / Q000235:genetics*
keywords: Botulism; Control; Epidemiology; Molecular tools; Sub-typing; Surveillance