<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_jvetres-2018-0040_s_005_w2aab3b7b7b1b6b1aab1c16b1Aa"><h3>Introduction</h3><p>The aim of this study was examination of honey samples collected from apiaries situated in all Polish provinces for occurrence of <italic>Clostridium</italic> spp., especially <italic>C. perfringens</italic>.</p></sec><sec id="j_jvetres-2018-0040_s_006_w2aab3b7b7b1b6b1aab1c16b2Aa"><h3>Material and Methods</h3><p>The study was carried out on 240 honey samples (15 samples/province). Estimation of <italic>Clostridium</italic> titre, its cultures and <italic>C. perfringens</italic> isolate characterisation were performed according to the standard PN-R-64791:1994. A multiplex PCR method for detection of genes coding <italic>cpa</italic> (α toxin), <italic>cpb</italic> (β), <italic>cpb2</italic> (β2), <italic>etx</italic> (ε), <italic>iap</italic> (ι), and <italic>cpe</italic> (enterotoxin) toxins was used.</p></sec><sec id="j_jvetres-2018-0040_s_007_w2aab3b7b7b1b6b1aab1c16b3Aa"><h3>Results</h3><p><italic>Clostridium</italic> spp. was noticed in 56% (136/240) of samples, and its titres ranged between 0.1 g and 0.001 g. <italic>Clostridium perfringens</italic> occurrence was evidenced in 27.5% (66/240) of samples. All isolates were classified to toxinotype A.</p></sec><sec id="j_jvetres-2018-0040_s_008_w2aab3b7b7b1b6b1aab1c16b4Aa"><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Evidence of a high number of positive samples with occurrence of <italic>Clostridium</italic> spp. indicates a potential risk to consumers’ health. The infective number of <italic>Clostridium</italic> spp. is unknown; however, the obtained results have shown that a risk assessment on the entire honey harvesting process should be made in order to ensure microbiological safety. Moreover, a detailed study should be undertaken on the antibiotic resistance of <italic>C. perfringens</italic> isolates from honey samples.</p></sec></abstract>

IntroductionThe aim of this study was examination of honey samples collected from apiaries situated in all Polish provinces for occurrence of Clostridium spp., especially C. perfringens.Material and MethodsThe study was carried out on 240 honey samples (15 samples/province). Estimation of Clostridium titre, its cultures and C. perfringens isolate characterisation were performed according to the standard PN-R-64791:1994. A multiplex PCR method for detection of genes coding cpa (α toxin), cpb (β), cpb2 (β2), etx (ε), iap (ι), and cpe (enterotoxin) toxins was used.ResultsClostridium spp. was noticed in 56% (136/240) of samples, and its titres ranged between 0.1 g and 0.001 g. Clostridium perfringens occurrence was evidenced in 27.5% (66/240) of samples. All isolates were classified to toxinotype A.ConclusionsEvidence of a high number of positive samples with occurrence of Clostridium spp. indicates a potential risk to consumers’ health. The infective number of Clostridium spp. is unknown; however, the obtained results have shown that a risk assessment on the entire honey harvesting process should be made in order to ensure microbiological safety. Moreover, a detailed study should be undertaken on the antibiotic resistance of C. perfringens isolates from honey samples.

<italic>Clostridium perfringens</italic> spores in Polish honey samples

Journal of Veterinary Research

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

{"article-title":{"italic":"Clostridium perfringens","content":"spores in Polish honey samples"}}

IntroductionThe aim of this study was examination of honey samples collected from apiaries situated in all Polish provinces for occurrence of Clostridium spp.,...

Clostridium perfringens spores in Polish honey samples

Published Online: Oct 23, 2018

Page range: 281 - 284

Received: May 07, 2018

Accepted: Aug 28, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2018-0040

Keywords
honey, toxins, Poland

© 2018 T. Grenda et al. published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Clostridium perfringens spores in Polish honey samples

Published Online: Oct 23, 2018

Page range: 281 - 284

Received: May 07, 2018

Accepted: Aug 28, 2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jvetres-2018-0040

Keywordshoney, toxins, Poland

© 2018 T. Grenda et al. published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
honey, toxins, Poland