Editing Clostridium botulinum (section)

=== Transmission and sporulation ===
The exact mechanism behind [[spores|sporulation]] of ''C. botulinum'' is not known. Different strains of ''C. botulinum'' can be divided into three different groups, group I, II, and III, based on environmental conditions like heat resistance, temperature, and biome.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal | vauthors = Portinha IM, Douillard FP, Korkeala H, Lindström M | title = Sporulation Strategies and Potential Role of the Exosporium in Survival and Persistence of ''Clostridium botulinum'' | journal = International Journal of Molecular Sciences | volume = 23 | issue = 2 | page = 754 | date = January 2022 | pmid = 35054941 | pmc = 8775613 | doi = 10.3390/ijms23020754 | doi-access = free }}></ref> Within each group, different strains will use different strategies to adapt to their environment to survive.<ref name=":0" /> Unlike other clostridial species, ''C. botulinum'' spores will sporulate as it enters the stationary phase.<ref name=":1">{{cite journal | vauthors = Shen A, Edwards AN, Sarker MR, Paredes-Sabja D | title = Sporulation and Germination in Clostridial Pathogens | journal = Microbiology Spectrum | volume = 7 | issue = 6 | date = November 2019 | pmid = 31858953 | pmc = 6927485 | doi = 10.1128/microbiolspec.GPP3-0017-2018 | veditors = Fischetti VA, Novick RP, Ferretti JJ, Portnoy DA, Braunstein M, Rood JI }}</ref> ''C. botulinum'' relies on [[Quorum sensing|quorum-sensing]] to initiate the sporulation process.<ref name=":1" />  ''C. botulinum'' spores are not found in human feces unless the individual has contracted botulism,<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/356218 |title= Coproexamination for Botulinal Toxin and Clostridium botulinum |access-date=2024-04-11 |journal=JAMA |date= 1977 |doi=10.1001/jama.1977.03280180033021 | vauthors = Dowell VR |volume= 238 |issue= 17 |page= 1829 |url-access= subscription }}</ref>  but ''C. botulinum'' cannot spread from person to person.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Botulism |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/botulism |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=www.who.int |language=en}}</ref>