Sensitivity of Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus ) to Clostridium botulinum toxins

Abstract

The sensitivity of Oreochromis mossambicus to Clostridium botulinum toxin types A–E was investigated. All five toxin types were toxic to O. mossambicus. In the case of toxin types A–D, O. mossambicus was considerably more resistant than mice and, in the case of type E toxin, fish were more sensitive. The minimum intraperitoneal (i.p.) dose of type E toxin for fish was half the minimum lethal dose for mice. The results of the study suggest that good hygiene should be maintained in fish/shrimp farms to keep contamination at a low level.