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Article: Botulinum Toxin
- Article from:
- World of Forensic Science
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Botulinum Toxin
Clostridium botulinum
is a spore-forming bacterium. Like the well-known
anthrax
bacillus, the
spores
of
Clostridium botulinum
can persist in the environment for many years and, when conditions become more favorable (i.e., in a wound, food, and the lungs) the spore can germinate and free the toxin.
There are at least seven structurally different versions of botulinum toxin. The type designated as type A is responsible for some botulism food-borne outbreaks in the United States and elsewhere. Improperly canned foods are a particular threat.
Botulinum toxin is among the most poisonous substances known in the natural world. The toxin, which can be ingested or inhaled, ...