![]() ![]() Food poisoning due to botulinum toxin emerged as a problem when food preservation became a widespread practice. Botulism is confirmed by detection of BoNT in a patient’s serum or stool, or in a sample of food consumed before onset of illness 10.įood-borne botulism is also known as “classical” botulism, as it was the first form of the disease described in literature. Mental functioning is not impaired by BoNTs, so the patient remains alert and conscious throughout the disease 9. This is followed by a progressive symmetrical flaccid paralysis, descending from the muscles of the head and throat, which in severe cases causes death due to respiratory muscles paralysis 8. ![]() Botulism initiates with acute weakness of muscles, causing difficulty in speaking and swallowing and double with blurred vision in all forms of diseases. This review provides updated information on warfare potential and medical uses of botulinum neurotoxin.Īll four forms of botulisms (food borne, infant, wound and animal) cause illness through a common pathway regardless of the manner in which the toxin gains systemic access 7. Subsequently, the neurotoxin has become a household name as clients line up at local gyms, parties, and spas for Botox injections, in order to temporarily rid themselves of wrinkles and sweaty armpits. As of January 2008, two BoNT serotypes (A and B) are approved for clinical use in the United States by Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It has become the first biological toxin which is licensed as drug for treatment of human diseases. One of the most fascinating aspects in the field of botulinum toxin research in recent years has been application of the most potent toxin in treatment of neurological disorders. Cultivation of the bacillus and its subsequent introduction into animals leading to development of the symptoms of botulism has been reported 6. Following the advent of microbiology in the late 19 th century, the causative organism was isolated from contaminated meat and recognized as an anaerobic bacillus 5. Although the disease has been known to man since ancient time, Muller in 1870 coined the name ‘botulism’ for the newly described disease 4. If left untreated, a severe case of botulism leads to death of the patient due to paralysis of respiratory muscles. The BoNTs are regarded as the most potent toxins known to mankind 3. botulinum and some of its close relatives 2. Botulism is a severe neuroparalytic disease caused by the action of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) produced by anaerobic spore-forming C. The present review focuses on both warfare potential and medical uses of botulinum neurotoxin.Ĭlostridium botulinum and botulism, the disease it causes, have been known to man for centuries 1. In the late 1980s, Canada approved use of the toxin to treat strabismus, in 2001 in the removal of facial wrinkles and in 2002, the FDA in the United States followed suit. It is the first biological toxin which is licensed for treatment of human diseases. A fascinating aspect of botulinum toxin research in recent years has been development of the most potent toxin into a molecule of significant therapeutic utility. As a military or terrorist weapon, botulinum toxin could be disseminated via aerosol or by contamination of water or food supplies, causing widespread casualties. The basis of the phenomenal potency of botulinum toxin is enzymatic the toxin is a zinc proteinase that cleaves neuronal vesicle associated proteins responsible for acetylcholine release into the neuromuscular junction. ![]() A single gram of crystalline toxin, evenly dispersed and inhaled, can kill more than one million people. Botulinum neurotoxin poses a major bioweapon threat because of its extreme potency and lethality its ease of production, transport, and misuse and the need for prolonged intensive care among affected persons. Botulinum neurotoxins, causative agents of botulism in humans, are produced by Clostridium botulinum, an anaerobic spore-former Gram positive bacillus. ![]()
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