Clostridium Botulinum Bacteria: Main Types of Botulism

Introduction: This research analysis places significant emphasis on the rare, but potentially life-threatening bacteria known as clostridium botulinum, which is a disease that is caused by the neurotoxin type A, B, E, or F type (Davis, 2012). The neurotoxin is produced by bacteria called clostridium botulinum which rapidly paralyzes muscles within the body. The toxin produces skeletal muscle paralysis by producing a presynaptic blockade to the release of acetylcholine (Cherington, 1998, p. 701). Because of its strong impact on the overall health of the body, this is considered a very serious disease with many substantial impacts and effects, the largest being death. The three major types of botulism are food-borne, wound, and infant botulism, all varying on how they are acquired (Davis, 2012). The neurotoxin botulism can be classified as an exceedingly rare, yet very serious, and potentially fatal paralytic illness that requires immediate medical attention. The disease was first discovered in 1735 when the disease was first associated with German sausage. In fact, the word "botulus" is Latin for the word sausage. Clostridium botulinum bacteria was first isolated in 1895, and a neurotoxin that it produces was isolated in 1944 by Dr. Edward Schantz (Davis, 2012). This research analysis will primarily focus on the aforementioned bacteria while closely placing the root causes and proven prevention techniques under close scrutiny to educate the public on its harmful effects and raise awareness on how precautions can be taken in an effort to diminish the prevalence of the disease. Casual Agent: The organism is known as clostridium botulinum, which serves as the bacteria that causes the neurotoxin, and is part of the bacte... ... middle of paper ... ...ng years, scientists hope to develop a vaccine so the number of cases vastly drop even more. References Botulism: General Information. (2011, July 26). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 19, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/botulism/ Cherington, M. (1998). Clinical Spectrum of Botulism. Muscke and Nerve, 21(6), 701. Davis, C. (2012, January 15). Botulism Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What causes botulism? - MedicineNet. MedicineNet. Retrieved April 21, 2014, from http://www.medicinenet.com/botulism/page2.htm#what_causes_botulism Strandwitz, P. (2008). Botulism Classification  . Classification. Retrieved April 21, 2014, from http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2008/strandwi_phil/schedule.htm Sugiyama, H. (1980). Clostridium Botulinum Neurotoxin. Microbiology Reviews, 44(3), 419-448.