Patho Micro Exam 2- Clostridium botulinum

The botulinum toxin is known as the what?

most toxic substance known to man

Symptoms of food-borne botulism

no fever, constipation, paralysis, dry mouth, abdominal pain, and blurred vision

Symptoms of infant botulism

constipation, weakness, weak cry, failure to thrive

The light chain of A-B toxins acts as a what?

zinc endopeptidase released after acidification of endosome

Unlike tetanospasmin, where does the botulinum neurotoxin remain?

neuromuscular junction

Unlike tetanospasmin, what is the botulinum toxin coated in when going through the digestive tract?

protective proteins

Tetanospasmin tightens muscles, but the endopeptidase in the botulinum toxin affects the muscles how?

They can't tighten

How many antigenically distinct versions of the botulinum toxin are there?

7

Regardless of the form, where does the botulinum toxin first travel to?

bloodstream

What treatment is essential if you are infected with botulism?

ventilatory support

Clostridium botulinum is responsible for what foodborne disease?

botulism

Is botulism an infection or intoxication?

intoxication

Symptoms of botulism are due to the production of what?

botulinum toxin

Is food-borne botulism an infection, toxi-infection, or an intoxication?

intoxication

Is infant botulism an infection, toxi-infection, or an intoxication?

toxi-infection

Food-borne botulism is usually the result of consuming what?

home-canned foods

What is the most common form of botulism in the U.S.?

infant botulism

What type of toxin is botulinum

A-B (Type III)

If you developed food-borne botulism, would there be any organism present?

No, just the toxin

Where is the toxin produced for food-borne botulism?

in the food

Where is the toxin produced for infant botulism?

in the gastrointestinal tract.

Once in the bloodstream, what does the botulinum toxin attack?

neurons

How can you prevent botulism?

sterilization of canned and vacuum sealed food, heating those foods for 10 minutes, not giving honey to infants

What antibiotic is given for those infected with botulism?

penicillin

What antitoxin is used in treatment

trivalent botulinum antitoxin