botulism

(noun)

Poisoning caused by the toxin from Clostridium botulinum, a type of anaerobic bacteria that grows in improperly-prepared food.

Related Terms

  • wound botulism
  • toxin
  • spore
  • infant botulism

Examples of botulism in the following topics:

  • Botulism

    • Person-to-person transmission of botulism does not occur.
    • The most common form in Western countries is infant botulism.
    • The only drug currently available to treat infant botulism is Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous-Human (BIG-IV or BabyBIG).
    • A 14-year-old with botulism.
    • Compare and contrast the three major modes of entry for Botulinium toxin (infant botulism or adult intestinal toxemia, foodborne botulism, and wound botulism) and describe its mechanism of action
  • Paralysis-Causing Bacterial Neurotoxins

    • Botulinum toxin can cause botulism, a serious and life-threatening illness in humans and animals.
    • Foodborne botulism can be transmitted through food that has not been heated correctly prior to being canned, or food from a can that has not been cooked correctly.
    • Most infant botulism cases cannot be prevented because the bacteria that cause this disease are in soil and dust.
    • Honey can contain the bacteria that cause infant botulism, so children less than 12 months old should not be fed honey.
    • By inhibiting acetylcholine release, the toxin interferes with nerve impulses and causes flaccid (sagging) paralysis of muscles in botulism, as opposed to the spastic paralysis seen in tetanus.
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