Botulism (cont.)
Is botulism neurotoxin really considered to be a potential biological weapon?
Yes. However, the neurotoxin rapidly inactivates when exposed to air and is relatively unstable even in liquid formulations. Even with these drawbacks, the neurotoxin has been used sporadically in attempts to harm or kill individuals. These situations are described in detail in the literature that discusses chemical and biological warfare.
Why are botulism neurotoxin (Botox) and other formulations used as cosmetic treatments or treatments for some medical conditions?
Interestingly, purified and highly diluted botulism toxin is being used to treat conditions that are characterized by abnormal muscle contractions. (Some examples of these conditions are torticollis, spasmodic dysphonia, achalasia, strabismus, oromandibular dystonia, and blepharospasm).
Wrinkles are caused by repeated normal muscle contractions...no muscle contractions, no wrinkles. Consequently, many people elect to have the dilute toxin injected to reduce or stop wrinkles in the skin. This wrinkle treatment was approved by the FDA in 2002. Possible side effects of this treatment include bruising, ptosis (abnormal drooping of a body part, especially the eyelid), nausea, and dysphasia (difficulty with speech), but other side effects may also occur.
Where can one find more information about botulism?
http://www.emergentbiosolutions.com/rBOT/
http://www.emedicine.com/pmr/topic216.htm
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/285/8/1059
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botulinum_toxin
http://health.howstuffworks.com/botox.htm
http://www.infantbotulism.org/readings/medical.php
http://www.upmc-cbn.org/report_archive/2006/08_August_2006/cbnreport_080306.html
- Botulism's neurotoxin is one of the most potent, lethal
substances known.
- Botulism is a disease caused by this neurotoxin (or specifically A, B, E, or F type neurotoxin).
- The neurotoxin is produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum.
- The neurotoxin paralyzes muscles and can be deadly.
- There are three major types of botulism that differ in how
they are acquired: food-borne, wound, and infant botulism.
- Food-borne botulism is usually caused by eating
contaminated home-canned foods.
- Never taste-test food that may have gone bad.
- Wound botulism is due to Clostridium bacteria infecting a wound
and releasing the neurotoxin.
- In infant botulism, the baby consumes spores of the
bacteria which then grow in the baby's intestine and release the neurotoxin.
- Honey can contain spores of the bacteria and should
not be fed to babies less than 1 year of age.
- Early food-borne and wound botulism can be treated with an
antitoxin to block the action of the neurotoxin.
- Botulism neurotoxin is listed as a potential biological weapon.
- Botulism neurotoxin is used in dilute concentration to treat medical and cosmetic conditions.
Last Editorial Review: 10/5/2007
- Electromyogram (EMG) - EMG (electromyogram) can detect abnormal muscle electrical activity in conditions such as neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, pinched nerves, herniated discs, peripheral nerve damage, ALS, and more.
- Food Poisoning - Read about the types of food poisoning from bacterium infection from Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, and botulism. Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention information is included in the information.
- Botox - Botox is the brand name of a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.Small, diluted amounts can be directly injected into specific muscles causing controlled weakening of the muscles.
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