[Food poisoning caused by Clostridium botulinum type E].

The results of a microbiological investigation carried out into a home-canned tuna fish are reported in relation to a suspected botulism case. Toxin of Cl. botulinum type E was detected by mouse toxicity and neutralization tests. The food specimen were also cultured for Cl. botulinum. The isolates was identified as Cl. botulinum type E by biochemical, gas chromatographic and immunological tests. The outbreak in which for the first time in Italy, the Cl. botulinum type E is involved, concerns one person who showed typical signs and symptoms consistent with botulism (abdominal cramps, dilatated pupils, diplopia, dysphagia, paralysis of lower upper limbs). The laboratory results are discussed with relation to environmental characteristics of the micro-organism and their resistance to same chemical and physical factors with are involved in the canning practice.