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The phylogenetic interrelationships of saccharolytic C. botulinum types B, E and F together with eleven other saccharolytic clostridia were examined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Comparative analysis of the sequence data revealed that the saccharolytic C. botulinum types B, E and F were highly related and represent a single genetic group. Strains of C. barati and C. butyricum that produce botulinal neurotoxin revealed almost 100% 16S rRNA sequence identity with their respective non-toxigenic counterparts and were phylogenetically distinct from saccharolytic C. botulinum (types B, E and F). Proteolytic C. botulinum type F was shown to be phylogenetically remote from the saccharolytic C. botulinum group. The implications of the sequence data for the taxonomy of the C. botulinum complex are discussed.
Hutson et al. (Mon,) studied this question.