1. Botulism [boch-uh-liz-uh m]
A rare poisoning caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria

2. Types of Botulism
Foodborne
Infant
Wound

3. History of Botulism
1793 – Thirteen people were poisoned by eating blood sausage in Germany (six of them died).
Latin botulus = sausage
A doctor noticed that
sausages with air
pockets were not
poisonous.

4. Caused by a bacteria Clostridium botulinum
An anaerobic spore-forming bacteria.
Forms spores to survive difficult conditions.
What does anaerobic mean?
“To live without air” (oxygen)

5. Clostridium botulinum

6. Found in soil, honey, and canned foods.

7. Question
Why do you think that sausages with air pockets were not poisonous?

8. Answer
Since Clostridium botulinum is anaerobic it doesn’t live in the presence of oxygen.
Sausages with air pockets in them don’t allow the bacteria to grow.

9. Symptoms include: Constipation Double or blurred vision
Drooping eyelids
Dry mouth
Difficulty Swallowing
Muscle weakness
In infants it is known
as “floppy baby
syndrome”

10. Neurotoxin
Clostridium botulinum releases a neurotoxin which affects the neuromuscular junction.

12. synaptobrevin

13. Synaptobrevin
Causes the movement of synaptic vesicles (filled with Ach) to the end of the nerve.
Botulism toxin breaks down synaptobrevin.
Botulism toxin prevents the synaptic vesicles from moving.
What is the result?

14. Answer No Ach released into the synaptic cleft.
Therefore no muscle contractions.

15. Treatment
Antitoxin.
This is a medicine that “attacks” the toxin created by Clostridium botulinum.

16. Prevention When canning at home, use pressure cookers.
Baked potatoes should be eaten hot or refrigerated.
Do not give honey to children less than one year old.