Botulin toxin: a weapon in terrorism

Abstract

Clostridium botulinum, the causative agent of botulism is an anaerobic, spore forming gram-positive bacillus. C. botulinum causes three types of botulism; foodborne botulism, wound botulism, and infant botulism. Most strains of the bacterium produce a potent, muscle-paralyzing neurotoxin. Respiratory failure secondary to paralysis of the respiratory muscles can lead to death unless appropriate therapy is promptly initiated. Due to the severity and potency of this neurotoxin, its importance as a biological weapon is of major concern to public health officials.