ANTIBODIES TO Clostridium botulinum TOXINS IN FREE-LIVING BIRDS AND MAMMALS

Abstract
Naturally-occuring antibodies [Ab] against C. botulinum toxins were found in Cathartes aura (turkey vultures), Canis latrans (coyotes) and Corvus brachyrhynchos (crows) by the passive hemagglutination (PHA) test and verified by the serum neutralization (SN) test. IHA [indirect HA] were prevalent in 18 of 20 vultures (90%), 5 of 12 crows (42%) and 25 of 110 coyotes (23%). Vultures and coyotes were seropositive by the PHA test against A, B, C, D and F toxins. The highest Ab titer (1:8192) was in vulture serum against type C. In descending order, the highest Ab levels were against type C, D, F, E, A and B toxins.