Resolution of Group I Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium sporogenes. Clostridium

The objective of this study is to identify genomic differences between Group I (proteolytic) Clostridium botulinum and non-toxic Clostridium sporogenes strains. All Clostridium botulinum produce botulinum neurotoxins but individual strains are both metabolically and phylogenetically highly similar to C. sporogenes. Identification of clade-specific genes (biomarkers) supports improved taxonomic identification of isolates which may be especially useful for metagenomic and/or culture independent diagnostic assays involving these organisms.