Has been isolated from raw milk, clams, and poultry. Mild to acute gastroenteritis lasting up to 2 weeks. Treated with antibiotics, but has been known to recur. Infectious mechanism is poorly understood, believed to stem from raw foods and food-handling human carriers. Very heat resistant spores, vegetate in absence of oxygen.
Potent neurotoxins are heat sensitive.
Widely distributed in soil. Some geographic specificity. Found in vegetable products, fish, poultry and meats. Symptoms usual in 12 to 36 hours, but can run to 8 days. Underprocessed, low acid foods held in oxygen free containers.