Botulinum Toxin; Bioterror and Biomedicinal Agent

Patočka, Jiří; Kuča, Kamil; Jun, Daniel

doi:10.14429/dsj.56.1882

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…When subjected to stress (e.g., starvation, low salt and sugar concentrations), and under specific environmental conditions (e.g., anaerobic environment and basic pH), C. botulinum is able to form spores which are extremely resistant to environmental factors (e.g., temperature, chemicals) and can remain viable for many years [18]. In contrast to the spores, BoNT is sensitive to high temperatures and to common disinfectants; both heating to 85 • C for 5 min [15,19] or using a 0.1% hypochlorite solution [20] are enough to degrade the toxin. The LD 50 for BoNT is extremely low in humans, as has been inferred from primate studies ( Table 2).…”

Section: Inhalational Botulismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biosecurity Threat Posed by Botulinum Toxin

Cenciarelli

Riley

Baka

2019

Toxins

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The deliberate release of biological agents with terrorist or criminal intent continues to pose concerns in the current geopolitical situation. Therefore, attention is still needed to ensure preparedness against the potential use of pathogens as unconventional weapons. Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is one such biological threat, characterized by an extremely low lethal dose, high morbidity and mortality when appropriately disseminated, and the capacity to cause panic and social disruption. This paper addresses the risks of a potential release of the botulinum neurotoxin and summarizes the relevant aspects of the threat.

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Section: Inhalational Botulismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biosecurity Threat Posed by Botulinum Toxin

Cenciarelli

Riley

Baka

2019

Toxins

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“…Botulinum toxin produces a descending flaccid paralysis 5 . Staphylococcal enterotoxin B produces a syndrome of fever, nausea, and diarrhea and may produce a pulmonary syndrome if aerosolised.…”

Section: Biotoxins and Chemical Weapons Conventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biohazards of Protein Biotoxins

Patočka

Hon

Středa

et al. 2007

DSJ

Self Cite

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Toxin-mediated diseases have made human beings ill for millennia and many of them had catastrophical l character. The use of biological agents as weapons of terror has been realised, and separating naturally occurring disease from bioterroristic events has become an important public health goal. The key to timely identification of such attacks relies on education of primary care physicians, first responders, and public health officials.

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“…When subjected to stress (e.g., starvation and low salt and sugar concentrations), and under specific environmental conditions (e.g., anaerobic environment and basic pH), C botulinum is able to form spores that are extremely resistant to environmental factors (e.g., temperature and chemicals) and can remain viable for many years. [ 10 ] In contrast to the spores, the botulism toxin is sensitive to high temperatures and common disinfectants; both heating to 85℃ for 5 minutes [ 11 , 12 ] or using a 0.1% hypochlorite solution [ 13 ] are enough to degrade the toxin.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiology and risk factors for notifiable Clostridium botulinum infections in Taiwan from 2003 to 2020

Chen

Huang

et al. 2022

Medicine

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Botulinum toxin is produced by Clostridium botulinum , a gram-positive anaerobic bacterium. This study aimed to examine the epidemiological characteristics, including sex, age, season in which infection occurred, place of residence, and epidemiological trends, of confirmed botulism cases in Taiwan from 2003 to 2020. This study examined the annual summary data on reported botulism in Taiwan’ s Center for Disease Control from 2003 to 2020 available to the public on the internet. We found that there were 50 confirmed domestic cases of botulism. The incidence of botulism ranged from 0 to 0.48 per 1000,000 from 2003 to 2020 and peaked in 2008 and 2010. During the 18-year investigation period in which 6-year intervals were used, the study results showed a decreasing trend (2003–2008, 2009–14, and 2015–2020, had 22, 19, 9 cases each). In terms of patients’ gender, age, and place of residence, most of the patients were females (56%), were aged ≥ 50 years (48%), and resided in Taipei and northern Taiwan (44%). The number of botulism cases in Taiwan from 2012 to 2020 compared with other years (from 2003 to 2011) found that there were significant differences among patients within an age group of <20 years ( P = .003, odds ratio = 18.500, and 95% confidence interval = 3.287–104.111), and there were significant differences among patients whose place of residence was Taipei metropolitan area ( P = .025, odds ratio = 5.667, and 95% confidence interval = 1.248–25.734). During 2003 to 2009, there was no case of botulism among those aged <20 years. Over the last 10 years, botulism in children showed an increasing trend. A total of 9 children were found to have botulism during 2010 to 2020; most of these children were male (66.7%) and were infected during spring and summer (66.7%). This study is the first to report the number of confirmed domestic cases with botulism from surveillance data from Taiwan’s Center for Disease Control during 2003 to 2020. This study also found that the place of residence and age were associated with an increased risk of botulism in Taiwan. This information may be useful for policymakers and clinical experts to direct prevention- and control-based activities regarding botulism that result in the most severe illness and the greatest burden on Taiwanese.

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Botulinum Toxin; Bioterror and Biomedicinal Agent

Cited by 5 publications

References 35 publications

Biosecurity Threat Posed by Botulinum Toxin

Biosecurity Threat Posed by Botulinum Toxin

Biohazards of Protein Biotoxins

Epidemiology and risk factors for notifiable Clostridium botulinum infections in Taiwan from 2003 to 2020

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