Clostridium Botulism Research Paper
Botulism is a form of food poisoning that can cause respiratory paralysis, muscular paralysis and even death. The paralysis is due to a release of a neurotoxin by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. C. botulinum bacteria are typically present in soil, but can be present due to improper storage of commercially or home prepared canned food, preserves, and fermented foods.
C. botulinum is rod-shaped and gram-positive (Solomon, Lilly 2001). The bacteria cannot be spread from contact with infected persons, and rarely can cause negative affects if inhaled or injected. The way people become infected is through ingestion of contaminated foods. It lives in soil and thrives in an anaerobic environment. It also produces spores, so it is able to remain …show more content…
It is possible to have the C. botulinum bacteria present without releasing the toxin because the environment isn’t ideal to for it to be released. Commercially prepared foods are tested regularly to make sure they aren’t contaminated with C. botulinum or other bacteria. Foods canned at home run the risk of having C. botulinum that releases the neurotoxin if not handled properly. A vegetable with a high pH, such as green beans, is not heated under pressure, the spores can survive. The spores are in an anaerobic environment and if at room temperature or higher, they are able to release the neurotoxin. If the jar is boiled for ten minutes, then the toxin will be …show more content…
botulinum bacterium was isolated, and the neurotoxin was isolated 49 years later in 1944. There are 6 types of neurotoxins caused by C. botulinum, and they are named types A-F (“Botulism,” 2013). Types A, B, E and F can cause paralysis on humans, while the other types will affect birds and animals. Type A is used pharmaceutically under the brand name BOTOX. Botox is known for cosmetic treatments because muscles are paralyzed and unable to contract and form wrinkles. Botox has other medical uses such as treating excessive sweating, eye twitches, and even bladder spasms. There is an antitoxin that blocks the effect of the neurotoxin if given in the early stages of consuming C.
C. botulinum is rod-shaped and gram-positive (Solomon, Lilly 2001). The bacteria cannot be spread from contact with infected persons, and rarely can cause negative affects if inhaled or injected. The way people become infected is through ingestion of contaminated foods. It lives in soil and thrives in an anaerobic environment. It also produces spores, so it is able to remain …show more content…
It is possible to have the C. botulinum bacteria present without releasing the toxin because the environment isn’t ideal to for it to be released. Commercially prepared foods are tested regularly to make sure they aren’t contaminated with C. botulinum or other bacteria. Foods canned at home run the risk of having C. botulinum that releases the neurotoxin if not handled properly. A vegetable with a high pH, such as green beans, is not heated under pressure, the spores can survive. The spores are in an anaerobic environment and if at room temperature or higher, they are able to release the neurotoxin. If the jar is boiled for ten minutes, then the toxin will be …show more content…
botulinum bacterium was isolated, and the neurotoxin was isolated 49 years later in 1944. There are 6 types of neurotoxins caused by C. botulinum, and they are named types A-F (“Botulism,” 2013). Types A, B, E and F can cause paralysis on humans, while the other types will affect birds and animals. Type A is used pharmaceutically under the brand name BOTOX. Botox is known for cosmetic treatments because muscles are paralyzed and unable to contract and form wrinkles. Botox has other medical uses such as treating excessive sweating, eye twitches, and even bladder spasms. There is an antitoxin that blocks the effect of the neurotoxin if given in the early stages of consuming C.