How a Neurotoxin Survives

摘要

Botulinum neurotoxins are secreted by the spore forming Gram-positive bacteria Clostridium botulinum and some other Clostridium strains under suit able anaerobic conditions (7). Ingestion or inhalation of botulinum neurotoxin leads to a severe neuroparalytic disease, termed botu lism, which is characterized by muscle paral ysis and autonomic dysfunction.