1. Botulinum toxin By: james and alan

2. The most poisonous substance known to man Produced by the common bacteria Clostridium botulinum Cause of Botulism 75 millionths of a gram to kill a person 1kg could kill entire human population Different types (A-G) Used for Botox :D!

3. The Bacteria Found in the soil of many countries Very heat resistant (>200°F) Obligate Anaerobe Flourishes in oxygen free environments of canned food and other food products Killed by a pressurized boil or other intense heat

4. Different Types Types A-G All except C and D are toxic to humans C and D are poisonous to animals Type A predominates the soil of North and South America Type B is found in deep soil Type E is found in water and is prevalent in aquatic sediments in Norway and Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, the Baltic coast of Poland and Russia.

5. Botulism Caused by eating contaminated food, or having a contaminated wound. Causes depression of muscles, leading to Double vision, drooping of eyelids, loss of facial expression and swallowing problems. In more advanced stages, it can cause weakness of arms and legs, depressed breathing and respiratory failure, which causes paralysis, comas, and death.

6. Botulism Treatment The only drug currently available to treat infant botulism is Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous-Human (BIG-IV or BabyBIG) Patients with severe cases must be on a ventilator for weeks, plus intensive medical and nursing care, due to the respiratory failure and paralysis that occur. There are two primary Botulinum Antitoxins available for treatment of wound and foodborne botulism.

7. Human Uses Used for Botox injections, and treatment of upper motor neuron syndrome, muscle spasms, excessive sweating, and migraine headaches.