The Bacteria Clostridium Botulinum and Botulism Condition

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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

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