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Clostridium botulinum case study
Etiology botulism
Clostridium botulinum case study
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Botulism is a rare but serious condition caused by toxins from bacteria called Clostridium botulinum (Botulism, 2012). Botulinum neurotoxins or, as abbreviated BoNTs, are some of the most extreme and dangerous substances that are known to the human population. There are 3 forms of botulism which include infant botulism, food borne botulism and wound botulism (Botulism, 2012). This specific genus of Clostridium causes “flaccid muscle paralysis by blocking acetylcholine release at nerve muscle junctions through a specific and exclusive endopeptidase activity against SNARE proteins of presynaptic exocytosis machinery” (Kukreja & Singh, 2005).
BoNTs are composed of seven different serotypes that range from A-G. Each of these serotypes are produced by different strains of the same bacteria, Clostridium. BoNTs are not just responsible for the three types of botulism, but they may also cause other neurological disorders. BoNts are not just used for medical purposes but are also becoming very popular within the cosmetic industry. However, with the increased number of users of these toxins there is also a threat being posed since the demand to cure acute diseases is increasing. For example, as Ramachandran states, “Botulinum toxins (BoNTs) delivered into extracranial dermatomes are effective in and approved for treating chronic migraine pain” (Ramachandran, 2014).
While there are various forms of botulism, infant botulism is the most common. Infant botulism occurs usually between the ages of 2-6 months (Bauman & Masuoka, 2009).The Clostridium bacteria attacks the intestinal tract of the infant and the bacteria produces spores, therefore these spores is what causes the infant to experience constipation. Sometimes infants may also experien...
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...m. (2012, July 19). Definition. Retrieved May 18, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/botulism/basics/definition/con-20025875
Bauman, R. W., & Masuoka, E. (2009). Microbiology: with diseases by body system (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
Kukreja, R., & Singh, B. (2005, September 22). Result Filters. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved April 15, 2014, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16179354
Ramchandran, R. (2014, May 12). Therapeutic use of botulinum toxin in migraine: Mechanisms of action. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved May 14, 2014, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24819339
Y, M. (2014, April 5). Food-borne Botulism in Japan in March 2012. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved April 18, 2014, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24709046
Clostridium difficile, otherwise known as C. diff, is a species of spore-forming, anaerobic, gram-positive bacteria that is known to cause watery diarrhea. 1 The genus name, Clostridium refers to the spindle shape of the organism while Difficile means difficult in Latin due to the fact that this organism thrives in unfavorable conditions and is very difficult to isolate.4 The incidence of getting CDI has increased over the years due to new strains of increased toxin production of the bacteria and increased resistance to antibiotics.2 It is a gastrointestinal infection, and the most common cause of infectious diarrhea.1 C. difficile was first identified in the feces of healthy newborns back in the 1930’s and by 1935, it was considered normal flora. 2 During 1974, researchers conducted that about 21% of patients that were treated with an antibiotic called clindamyacin reported diarrhea and about 10% of them reported to have conducted pseudomembranous colitis as a side effect of this treatment. 2 It was in 1978 where C. diff had been known to cause anti-biotic associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. 2 It is known to form spores that resist many disinfectants; it also survives for several months on different surfaces.1 It is a common form of a nosocomial infection and the prevalence of becoming infected with C. diff is about 0-15% in a health care setting. 3 The spores survive well in environments such as soil, water and animals and is distributed worldwide. 4 CDI produces two toxins (Toxin A and B), which are cytotoxic and cause tissue necrosis.4
Nelson, H., Walker, M., Zackher, B., & Mitchell, J. (n.d.). Result Filters. National center for biotechnology information. Retrieved February 9, 2014, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?LinkName=pubmed_pubmed_pmh_cited&from_uid=15233153
Botulinum toxin serotypes A and B have been approved for both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. (1,4) Medical treatment for conditions such as strabismus (...
Miller, K. R., & Levine, J. S. (2010). Miller & Levine biology. Boston, Mass: Pearson
National Institute of Health. "Botox: MedlinePlus." U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web. 19 Sept. 2015. .
Since the discovery of the pathogen in 1894 [6], we have learned a lot about the bacteria that was responsible for what was arguably the worst epidemic the modern world has ever seen. There are two other somewhat similar pathogens that both also belong to the Yersinia genus, both of which are mostly food-borne, and only really cause stomach pain and diarrhea. [14]. However, there are still many unknowns when it comes to both strains of the Yersinia Pestis bacteria (Strain KIM and Strain CO92). [11]. Current research occurring at the Indian Academy of Sciences, may suggest that Yersinia Pestis and its close relative of the same genus (and far less lethal symptoms), Yersinia Pseudotuberculosis may have evolved from a common ancestor thousands of years ago. [11]. It is not completely known if Y. Pestis is still evolving, as resources in countries where the pathogen is still present are thin.
Tamma, P. D., & Sandora, T. J. (2012). Clostridium difficile in children: current state and unaswered questions. Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases , 230-243.
Yamaguchi, N., D. W. MacDonald, W. C. Passanisi, D. A. Harbour, and C. D. Hopper.Epidemiology and Infection, Vol. 116, No. 2 (Apr., 1996), pp. 217-223
Did you know… that the largest outbreak of Listeria in the history of the United States occurred in 2011? It had 147 illnesses, 33 deaths, and 1 miscarriage. It occurred within 28 states. But what was the source? Cantaloupes from a small farm were the source of the outbreak. The farm was located in Jensen, Colorado. The outbreak is now over, but listeria still remains a cause of serious illnesses in the United States.
According to Wikipedia, Botox or Botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxic protein that is produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. It is used both commercially as a cosmetic aid and is also used as the treatment for sever medical purposes, including, vocal cord dysfunction and chronic migraine, as well as being used for research purposes. The two main commercially used types are, Botulinum toxin type A and Botulinum toxin type B. The FDA requires that a boxed warning be used to inform all users of the risk of botulism. Botulism is a potentially fatal disease caused by an infection related to the Botox. When locally administered, the toxin may move from the injection sight to other areas of your body causing Botulism. This warning from the FDA has been put in place after a number of deaths associated with the injection of Botox. Botox is commercially used as a cosmetic drug to prevent the development of
Most people associate the word, “toxin,” with the word, “toxic.” The first word that comes to mind when I hear the word, “toxic,” is “dangerous.” In fact, the definition of toxic is, relating or caused by poison and very bad, unpleasant, or harmful. The definition of the word toxin is, "An antigenic poison or venom of plant or animal origin, especially one produced by or derived from microorganisms and causing disease when present at low concentration in the body." Therefor Botox is a toxin because it does cause a
Salyers, Abigail A. and Dixie D. Whitt 1994. Bacterial Pathogenesis: A Molecular Approach ASM Press: Washington
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year roughly one in six Americans (48 million people), 128,000 will end up in the hospital and 3,000 will die of foodborne illness. Three hundred and sixty-five million dollars are spent annually on the Salmonella infection. There are 31 major foodborne pathogens that are known to cause foodborne illnesses.
Some examples of toxins that ‘biomagnify’ are is Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), Mecury and Cadmium. These chemicals are commonly referred to as Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP’S).
An unlikely substance for humans to willingly inject into themselves, botulinum toxin is the endotoxin produced by the gram-negative, acidophilic anaerobe Clostridium botulinum. This neurotoxin, which causes muscular paralysis and can result in death due to respiratory failure, is extremely potent; just 50 grams would be enough to kill every person on the planet (Lindsay, 2013). The earliest recorded case of botulism poisoning occurred in 1735 in Europe. Assumed to be associated with a batch of sausage, it was named for the German word for sausage, “botulus (Sterba, 1982).” Botulism poisoning still occurs today, though with careful food preparation techniques it is incredibly rare. With modern medical attention, the case fatality rate of botulism