What is Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin)?
Botulism is a disease caused by a bacterial toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum (Figure 5). There are 7 different types of botulinum toxin: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. The bacterium is found all over the world and is commonly isolated from water and soil. Most cases of botulism are associated with food consumption. The most common types of toxin seen in foodborne disease are A, B, and E. The toxin inhibits proper functioning of the nerves and prevents muscle contraction. As a result a person with severe botulism will have flaccid paralysis and may not be able to breathe (Figure 6). The death rate of botulism during the 1990s was 6% (9, 47). This bacterium exists in two forms: vegetative cells and spores. The vegetative cells of Clostridium botulinum are killed by oxygen. The spores allow the organism to survive when nutrients are low and/or oxygen levels are too high. The vegetative cells produce the toxin. This toxin is very potent. Only minute amounts are needed to cause severe dise
