Question: Botulism is an uncommon disorder caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum. Seven subtypes of botulinum toxin exist (subtypes A, B, C, D, E, F and G). Which subtypes have been noted to cause human disease and which ones have been reported to cause infant botulism specifically in the United States?
Answer: According to the cited reference “Only subtypes A, B, E and F cause disease in humans, and almost all cases of infant botulism in the United States are caused by subtypes A and B. Botulinum-like toxins E and F are produced by Clostridium baratii and Clostridium butyricum and are only rarely implicated in infant botulism” (Rosow RK and Strober JB. Infant botulism: Review and clinical update. 2015 Pediatr Neurol 52: 487-492)