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Anthrax Toxin And The Medical Field

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Botulinum Toxin
SFC Wood Randall
CBRN ALC Class 07-15
SSG Thomas
September 11, 2015 Abstract
This document will answer many questions about Botulism Toxin. Some of the questions addressed will include; What exactly is botulism? What is the germ Clostridium botulinum? How frequent does botulism occur? What are the symptoms of botulism? How do we diagnose botulism? How do we treat botulism? What are complications from botulism? How does one prevent botulism? What are public health agencies doing to prevent and control botulism? I will also discuss other uses of Botulinum Toxin in the medical field as well as in the cosmetic field.

What exactly is botulism? While very rare, Botulism is a serious paralytic illness that is…show more content…
All of the above-mentioned forms of botulism can be fatal and should be considered a medical emergency. Foodborne botulism is a public health emergency because many people can be contaminated. What kind of germ is Clostridium botulinum? Clostridium botulinum is an anaerobic, Gram-positive, spore-forming rod that produces a potent neurotoxin. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2015) This germ can be found in soil, is rod shaped, it also thrives in a low oxygen environment. This germ creates spores that lay dormant until they come into conditions that foster their growth and support. There are seven categories of botulinum toxin. Letters specify those types. Those categories are A, B, C, D, E, F. Categories A, B, E, and F are the only types that cause illness in humans. What is the frequency of Botulinum Toxin? The incidence of the disease is low, but the mortality rate is high if not treated immediately and properly. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2015) The United States has averaged one hundred forty five reported cases of Botulism a year. Fifteen percent of those being foodborne, sixty-five percent being infant Botulism, and twenty percent being wound Botulism. (CDC, 2015) The frequency of the disease is low, but the mortality rate is high if not treated immediately and properly. Some cases of botulism may be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because the symptoms are transient or mild, and mimic Guillain-Barre syndrome. Symptoms of Botulism
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