Evidence that Plasmid-Borne Botulinum Neurotoxin Type B Genes Are Widespread among Clostridium botulinum Serotype B Strains

Abstract

The unexpected finding of the widespread distribution of plasmids harboring the bont/B gene among C. botulinum serotype B strains provides a chance to examine their contribution to the dissemination of the bont genes among heterogeneous clostridia, with potential implications on issues related to pathogenesis and food safety.