Botulism and Bioterrorism: How Serious is This Problem?
Jiří Patočka,
Miroslav Špliňo,
Vladimír Měrka
Affiliations
Jiří Patočka
University of Defence, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, Department of Toxicology, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Health and Social Studies, Department of Radiology and Toxicology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
Miroslav Špliňo
University Hospital Hradec Králové, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; University of Defence, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
Vladimír Měrka
University of Defence, Faculty of Military Health Sciences, Centre of Information Technologies, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
Botulism is a potentially lethal disease caused by one of seven homologous neurotoxic proteins usually produced by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. This neuromuscular disorder occurs through an exquisite series of molecular events, ultimately ending with the arrest of acetylcholine release and hence, flaccid paralysis. There are three types of botulism: food, wound, and infant botulism. Most strains of the bacterium produce a potent, respiratory muscle-paralyzing neurotoxin, botulinum toxin (BTX). It can lead to death unless appropriate therapy is promptly initiated. Due to the severity and potency of BTX, its importance as a biological weapon is of major concern to public health officials. Nevertheless, BTX is also medicament.
