It is known to be one of the most poisonous biological substances and is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum. Clostridium Botulinum a rod-shaped organism is known to grow best in low oxygen conditions. This bacteria form spores allowing them to stay dormant until it encounters a condition that cannot support its growth. Clostridium Botulinum produces eight antigenically distinguishable exotoxins (A, B, C1, C2, D, E, F, and G). All variations of this microorganism interfere with neural transmission by blocking the release of acetylcholine, the principal neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction, thus causing muscle paralysis (Dolly, 1997). Botulinum Toxin is very vital in the management of numerous medical conditions like headaches, hyper salivation, and spastic movement disorders. Botulinum Toxin is also used in cosmetology to correct lines, wrinkles and creases to the face, chin, neck, and chest to dermatological applications like hyperidrosis also known as “ abnormally excessive sweating” Injections with botulinum toxin are most times tolerated and side effects are minimal. A precise knowledge and understanding of the functional anatomy of the mimetic muscles is absolutely necessary to correctly use botulinum toxins in clinical practice (Dolly, 1997).
Botulinum toxin aka the “miracle poison, is one of the most poisonous substances known. (Munchau & Bhatia, 2000) It is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, an anaerobic, gram-positive, spore forming rod commonly found on plants, in soil, water and animals intestinal tracts. It was Scott (Scott, 1981) who was the first show the effectiveness of botulinum toxin type A in the management of crossed eyes in humans also known as “st...
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...ns with increasing effectiveness and duration of effects will further aid this expanding and interesting field.
Works Cited
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Manchau, A. (2000). Regular Review: Uses of Botulinum Injection in Medicine Today. BMJ, 161-165.
Scott, A. (1981). Botulinum toxin injection of eye muscles to correct strabismus. Trans Am Opthalmol Soc, 734-770.
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Nerve stimulation was induced for every fifteen seconds at an increment frequency of 0.5 pps (parts per seconds), 1.0 pps, 2.0 pps, 4.0 pps, 8.0 pps, 15 pps, and 25 pps. Every increment trial had a thirty-seconds waiting period. To witness the effects of tubocurare on muscle activity, the baseline was maintained between 20-30 grams and a control was established by turning the stimulator on repeat for 60-120 seconds. Then 0.25 ml of tubocurare was infused into the gastrocnemius muscle. The data was recorded for ten minutes.
Treatment depends on signs and severity of disease. These treatments include artificial tears, surgery, glucocorticoids, immunomodulators and prisms. Artificial tears can be used for corneal exposure and associated dryness. In severe lid retraction, eyelid surgery can be considered. Orbital congestion and optic neuropathy can be treated by high dose glucocorticoids. Steroid-sparring agents and additional immunomodulators (cyclosporine, azathioprine) are also used. Sometimes, surgical decompression of the orbit is necessary to prevent severe exophthalmos and optic nerve compression. If patients have diplopia secondary to muscle enlargement and fibrosis, prisms and then strabismus surgery are needed after the inflammatory response is controlled. Eyelid surgery is suggested in patients that have severe exposure due to a fibrotic levator
Botulism is a neuroparalytic disorder characterized by the appearance of a descending flaccid paralysis produced by Clostridium botulinum toxin. The causal agent of this disease is a gram-positive anaerobic bacillus survives in soil and marine sediments through the formation of vegetative spores. Clostridium botulinum spores germinate favored by certain environmental conditions. The bacillus, during growth and autolysis releases a potent neurotoxin responsible for the symptoms of the disease. There are 7 types of toxin designated A through G. The toxin is absorbed from the intestinal tract and into systemic circulation to reach neuromuscular endings. At this level it binds to receptors on nerve endings
The disease, botulism, which is caused by Clostridium botulinium, is an emerging infectious disease. Clostridium botulinium is a bacterium that produces a neurotoxin that causes botulism. The bacterium is spore-forming, and anaerobic, meaning it does not need oxygen to grow. There are three main types of illnesses that Clostridium botulinium typically cause: Food-borne botulism, infant botulism, and wound botulism. Unbeknownst to common knowledge, infant botulism is the most common form of the disease, consisting of seventy-five percent of the reported cases of the disease (Chan-Tack, & Bartlett, 2010).
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Introduction: This report is to discuss an experiment to assess the sensory and motor functions of the facial nerve in humans. The facial nerve is one of twelve cranial nerves that innervates the head and neck. These nerves serve a variety of functions, both sensory and motor, and are responsible for moving the muscles in the face, head and neck, and receiving information the brain can interpret into all five sense. Appendix A outlines each cranial nerve, it’s sensory and/or motor function, and the foramen in the bones of the skull it passes through.
Neurotoxins prevent or stop the function of neurons. Neurons are found amongst the brain, spinal cord and the nervous system, which expands through the rest of the body. The function of neuron cells is very vital to the body as their main job is to process and spread information. Thought the presentations we learned that neurotoxins could cause different effects ranging from non-harmful to deadly. During the presentations we also discussed how the communications of neurons were each group were given one topic such as: action potential, membrane potential, summation, propagation and how different neurotoxins were affected.
Tetanus: acute infectious disease of the central nervous system caused by the toxins of Clostridium Tetani.
So, what is Botox? Botox is the market name for type A botulinum toxin which is a purified form of the toxin produced by the bacteria, clostridium botulinum. This bacteria is commonly associated with food poisoning and is lethal in large doses. The botulism toxin could paralyze vital muscles needed for breathing. Although related to botulism food poisoning, the amounts of Botox given are so minimal and localized, that the toxin will not spread to any other muscles in the body, thus making it a safe and harmless procedure. When used cosmetically, tiny amo...
Almost anyone who has ever spent time near or in an ocean has been warned about being stung by jellyfish. Jellyfish have been ascribed a reputation as dangerous, often lethal animals. The exact actions of jellyfish toxins are not well understood, and the true danger presented by jellyfish is often exaggerated.
Pita, R. (2009). Toxin weapons: From World War I to jihadi terrorism. Toxin Reviews, 28(4), 219-237. doi:10.3109/1556950903246136
The soviets tested several deadly poisons on prisoners in the gulag like mustard gas, ricin, digitoxin and several others. The soviets wanted and tried hard to find a tasteless and...
There are many different types of frogs containing toxins. An example of this is the “Golden Poison Frog.” These frogs are native to the Pacific Ocean. The Golden Poison Frog’s skin is coated with alkaloid poison, common to many dart frogs. This prevents nerves from being able to transmit impulses which can lead to heart failure or fibrillation. Don't mistake this frog for being venomous because venomous use their toxins to kill their prey. It is only poisonous and uses it’s toxins as a self defense. The average dose carried in this frog varies in specific location and diet. The Golden Poison Frog is estimated to contain approximately one milligram of poison, e...