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Why would it be difficult to use botulism as a biological weapon?
Botulinum toxins pose a major threat as biological weapons because they are extremely potent and lethal; some of the toxins are relatively easy to produce and transport; and people with botulism require prolonged intensive hospital care.
How potent is botulinum toxin?
The estimated human lethal dose of type A toxin is 1.3–2.1 ng/kg intravenously or intramuscularly, 10–13 ng/kg when inhaled, or 1000 ng/kg when taken by mouth.
Has botulism been used as a weapon?
The extreme toxicity of this toxin-inducing botulism, a severe lethal muscle-paralyzing illness, has been well known since the seminal works of the end of the 19th century. Because of this toxicity, botulinum toxin was one of the first agents to be considered for use as a biological weapon.
Is botulism a biological agent?
Botulism: Bioterrorism The toxin is called botulinum toxin. It is one of the deadliest toxins known. The bacteria that make this toxin are found naturally in many places, but it’s rare for them to make people sick. However, the toxin could be used in a biological attack.
What is the difference between botulinum and botulism?
C. botulinum is an anaerobic bacterium, meaning it can only grow in the absence of oxygen. Foodborne botulism occurs when C. botulinum grows and produces toxins in food prior to consumption.
When was botulism used as a biological weapon?
Botulinum toxin gained public attention after a vial of the bacteria was found by investigators in Iraq after the ouster of Saddam Hussein. At the end of the 1991 Gulf War, Iraq claimed it had produced 19,000 liters of the toxin; if true, it was an amount capable of killing the entire population of the earth.
Is botulism always fatal?
Botulism can be fatal in 5\% to 10\% of people who are affected. However, if left untreated, botulism is fatal in 40\% to 50\% of cases. Infant botulism typically has no long-term side effects but can be complicated by treatment-associated adverse events. The case fatality rate is less than 2\% for hospitalized babies.
Is Botox a biological?
Lastly, Botox (onabotulinumtoxina) is a biologic produced by a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. You may already know of Botox as a drug used in cosmetic procedures, but it’s actually helpful for many other diseases and conditions. Botox is a toxin that blocks nerves and muscles from activating.
Could botulinum toxin become a therapeutic weapon?
As a military or terrorist weapon, botulinum toxin could be disseminated via aerosol or by contamination of water or food supplies, causing widespread casualties. A fascinating aspect of botulinum toxin research in recent years has been development of the most potent toxin into a molecule of significant therapeutic utility.
Why is botulism considered a biological weapon?
Botulinum toxins pose a major threat as biological weapons because they are extremely potent and lethal; some of the toxins are relatively easy to produce and transport; and people with botulism require prolonged intensive hospital care. Unless otherwise noted, all information presented in this article is derived from the following 2 sources:
How many types of botulinum toxins are there?
C. botulinum produces 8 types of toxin (A through H), which are among the most potent toxins known. A dilute formulation of botulinum toxin A is used clinically under the name Botox ®, and a dilute formulation of botulinum toxin B is used clinically under the name Myobloc ®.
What is a deliberate release of botulinum toxin?
A deliberate release of botulinum toxin could be in the form of an aerosolized weapon or contamination of the food or water supply with C. botulinum or botulinum toxin. Several countries developed botulinum toxin as aerosol weapons in the past.