Botulism!!
Will Chapman
What is Botulism??
Botulism is a paralyzing disease caused by the toxin of Clostridium botulinum. The toxin produces skeletal muscle paralysis by producing a presynaptic blockade to the release of acetylcholine.
Types of Botulism.
Since the discovery of the toxin about 100 years ago, five clinical forms of botulism have been described: 1) classic or food-borne botulism; 2) wound botulism; 3) infant botulism; 4) hidden botulism; 5) inadvertent botulism. A clinical pattern of descending weakness is characteristic of all five forms. Almost all human cases of botulism are caused by one of three serotypes (A, B, or E).
Wound Botulism
Wound botulism was rare until the past decade. Now there are increasing numbers of cases of wound botulism in injecting drug users. Mainly Heroin.
Infant Botulism
Infant botulism, first described in 1976, is now the most frequently reported form. In infant botulism spores of Clostridium botulinum are ingested and germinate in the intestinal tract.
Hidden Botulism
Hidden botulism, the adult variant of infant botulism, occurs in adult patients who usually have an abnormality of the intestinal tract that allows colonization by Clostridium botulinum.