Abstract
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are produced by a diverse set of seven clostridial species, though alternate naming systems have developed over the last 100 years. Starting in the 1950s, a single-species taxonomy where any bacterium producing BoNT would be designated Clostridium botulinum was introduced. As the extreme diversity of these strains was recognized, a secondary system of taxonomic "groups" evolved. It became clear that these groups also had members that did not produce BoNT, and in some cases, they were given formal species names. Genomic analysis now clearly identifies species affiliations whether an isolate is toxigenic or not. It is clear that C. botulinum group nomenclature is no longer appropriate and that there are recognized species names for each clostridium. We advocate for the use of the scientific binomials and that the single-species group nomenclature be abandoned.
Highlights
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are produced by a diverse set of seven clostridial species, though alternate naming systems have developed over the last 100 years
This was proven erroneous on both counts in 1904 when G. Landmann described another bacterial toxin that had caused botulism following ingestion of contaminated bean salad [7]. This was the first recorded case of botulism due to something other than preserved meat products, and it was determined that the toxin and the bacteria producing it differed from the van Ermengem strain [8]
It was shown that different bacterial strains may produce the same toxins and different toxins may be produced by the same bacterial strains, a truism that has since been reinforced numerous times
Summary
Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are produced by a diverse set of seven clostridial species, though alternate naming systems have developed over the last 100 years. While the toxin types were serologically similar, the bacterial strains exhibited different levels of proteolysis, prompting Seddon to designate his proteolytic isolates Clostridium parabotulinum, while the somewhat nonproteolytic strains of Bengtson remained Clostridium botulinum [15]. R. Brygoo [16] proposed designating any botulinum neurotoxin-producing organism Clostridium botulinum, based on that single overriding characteristic
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