Multiplex PCR for the detection of Clostridium botulinum & C. perfringens toxin genes.

Food-borne diseases constitute a major public health problem. Due to increased morbidity and mortality leading to time loss in the work place and reduced productivity, food-borne diseases across the world cost billions of dollars annually1. The Clostridium group of bacteria is commonly found in soil everywhere in the world, and some of its species live harmlessly in our intestines. Clostridium produces a chemical that is toxic to human body. One of the major illnesses caused by the Clostridium group of bacteria is food poisoning which includes perfringens food poisoning by C. perfringens and food-borne botulism by C. botulinum. The enterotoxin produced by C.perfringens and neurotoxin produced by C. botulinum are responsible for the illness2,3.