botulinumi
Botulinum refers to botulinum neurotoxins produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum and related species. There are seven toxin types, labeled A through G. In humans, types A, B and E are most commonly associated with botulism, while other types primarily affect animals or are rare in humans. Botulism is a severe paralytic illness that can result from ingestion of preformed toxin in contaminated food (foodborne botulism), colonization of the infant gut (infant botulism), or wound infection (wound botulism).
Mechanism: botulinum neurotoxins are zinc-dependent endopeptidases that cleave SNARE proteins required for acetylcholine release at peripheral
Clinical features: the illness typically begins with cranial nerve dysfunction—double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking or
Diagnosis and treatment: diagnosis relies on clinical suspicion supported by laboratory detection of toxin in serum,
Prevention and use: preventing foodborne botulism centers on proper food preservation and preparation; infants under one