PREVALENCE OF CLOSTRIDIUM-BOTULINUM TYPE-E IN FINNISH FISH AND FISHERY PRODUCTS

The prevalence of Clostridium botulinum type E gene in fish and fisher y products of commercial importance in Finland was determined using a quantitative PCR analysis. The contamination level in 438 raw fish sam ples from intestines, surface and whole fish and 208 fish roe samples varied from 10-40 % and from 4-14 % respectively, depending on the fis h species studied. The presence of C. botulinum in European wild fresh water fish and roe was demonstrated for the first time by isolation of the organism from PCR-positive samples. Five percent of 214 vacuum-pa cked and 3% of 123 air-packed fishery product samples examined at reta il level were positive for the botulinum neurotoxin type E gene. A con tamination level of 10% in vacuum-packed hot-smoked whitefish was dete cted. The results demonstrate that C. botulinum type E poses a serious health risk for those consuming fishery products from the Baltic Sea area.