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Clostridium botulinum in soil on the site of the former Metropolitan (Caledonian) Cattle Market, London

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

G. R. Smith  and
R. A. Milligan
G. R. Smith
Affiliation:
Nuffield Laboratories of Comparative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY
R. A. Milligan
Affiliation:
Nuffield Laboratories of Comparative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY
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Summary

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Sixty soil samples were collected from the redeveloped site of the former Metropolitan (Caledonian) Cattle Market, Islington, London. Of these, 15 (25%) contained Clostridium botulinum and no less than four types (B, C, D and E) were demonstrated.

Early British soil surveys suggested that only 4–8% of samples contained Cl. botulinum (type A or B). Although there can be no absolute proof, it seems likely that the striking prevalence at the Market site was the result of faecal contamination by a small proportion of the many millions of farm animals brought there from elsewhere.

The distribution of Clostridium tetani was uneven, but of 18 soil samples taken from one area of the Market site, 16 (89%) were positive.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 83 , Issue 2 , October 1979 , pp. 237 - 241
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

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