By: Ellie McCarthy

AP Biology – Period 1&2

Clostridium botulinum

Scientific ClassificationDomain: BacteriaKingdom: BacteriaDivision: FirmicutesClass: ClostridiaOrder: ClostridialesFamily: ClostridiaceaeGenus: ClostridiumSpecies: C. botulinum

Binomial name: Clostridium botulinum

CharacteristicsGram positiveShape: rod (bacilli)Obligate anaerobe

(chemautotroph)Found in soilForm in coloniesMotile

Unique Structural FeaturesProduces oval,

subterminal endosporesCan survive in most

environments and are very hard to kill

Produces botulinum neurotoxins types A-GCalled botulinExtremely toxicTypes A, B, E and F

affect humansTypes C and D affect

animalsType G is unknown

Disease Causes the disease botulism Results from the ingestion of the

neurotoxin (exotoxin) botulin released by C. botulinum while growing on food Endospores frequently found in

honey Neurotoxins are absorbed into

blood stream, affecting the nervous system by preventing the release of aceytlcholine

Symptoms usually begin between 12 and 72 hours after ingestion

Lasts from 1 to 10 days If not caught early and treated

properly, death results

Nausea Vomiting Fatigue Dizziness Double vision Drooping eyelids Slurred speech Difficulty swallowing Dryness of skin, mouth, and

throat No fever Muscle weakness Flaccid paralysis

Starts with eyes and face, then progresses downward

Eventual asphyxia (death)

Health-Related Issues

Symptoms

Treatment Antibiotics ineffective,

antitoxins more effective Stop exotoxins in the

bloodstream from further affecting the nervous system

Supportive treatment in an intensive care ward Ventilation may be needed in

cases of respiratory failure Recovery takes weeks because

nerve endings must rejuvenate

Food-borne botulism Most common Contamination of agricultural

products and seafood Under-processed canned foods or

can leakage Incorrectly home-canned foods

Wound botulism Occurs when C. botulinum cells

affect an open wound Exotoxins travel to the bloodstream

and then affect the nervous system Infant botulism

Rare Symptoms often take weeks to

occur Presents with constipation,

tiredness and inability to feed, followed by respiratory failure

Health-Related Issues (cont.)

Types

1895 – First recognized and isolated by Emile van Ermengem 1928 – P. Tessemer Snipe and Hermann Sommer able to purify

the botulism toxin1960s – Alan Scott and Edward Schantz began experimenting

with botulism toxin type A (BTX-A) for therapeutic purposes Cosmetically – used in Botox and other cosmetic formulas to

treat frown lines and wrinkles Therapeutically – muscle pain disorders, upper motor neuron

syndrome, blepharospasm, strabismus and hemifacial spasm

Historical Significance

Ecolab. Clostridium botulinum . 30 September 2003. 2 February 2011 <http://www.ecolab.com/PublicHealth/Cbotulinum.asp>.

Maricopa Community College. "Chapter 13: Disease Transmission & Pathogenesis." n.d. Biology. 2 February 2011

<http://www.pc.maricopa.edu/Biology/rcotter/BIO%20205/LessonBuilders/Chapter%2013LB/Ch13LessonBuilder_print.html>.

Marler, Bill. "Clostridium botulinum." 23 November 2010. Botulism Blog. 2 February 2011.

<http://www.botulismblog.com/botulism-information-1/clostridium-botulinum/>.

Schenectady County Community College. "Clostridium botulinum." n.d. Education that Works. 2 February 2011

<http://www.sunysccc.edu/academic/mst/microbes/36cbotu.htm>.

Wikipedia. 2 February 2011. 2 February 2011 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clostridium_botulinum>.

Works Cited

Arsenault, Richard J. "Infant Botulism and Honey." 18 January 2010. NBA Food Advocate. 2 February 2011 <http://www.nbafoodadvocate.com/infant-botulinum-and-honey-2803>.

Cedar Crest College. "Clostridium botulinum." n.d. 2 February 2011 <http://www2.cedarcrest.edu/academic/bio/hale/bioT_EID/lectures/botulinum.html>.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library. "File:Clostridium botulinum 01.png." 23 February 2006. wikipedia.org. 2 February 2011 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Clostridium_botulinum_01.png>.

Keith R. Schneider, Mickey E. Parish, and Renée M. Goodrich. "Clostridium botulinum." 29 October 2010. U. Ill. Food Safety. 2 February 2011 <http://www.extension.org/pages/Clostridium_botulinum>.

Lietz, Jessica. "Clostridium Botulinim Symptoms." 20 November 2009. ehow.com. 2 February 2011 <http://www.ehow.com/facts_5670419_clostridium-botulinim-symptoms.html>.

Maricopa Community College. Chapter 13: Disease Transmission & Pathogenesis. n.d. 2 February 2011 <http://www.pc.maricopa.edu/Biology/rcotter/BIO%20205/LessonBuilders/Chapter%2013LB /Ch13LessonBuilder_print.html>.

Marler, Bill. Clostridium botulinum. 23 November 2010. 2 February 2011 <http://www.botulismblog.com/botulism-information-1/clostridium-botulinum/>.

Matthews, L. "Treating Whiplash with Botox." 17 November 2010. PainNeck.com. 2 February 2011 <http://www.painneck.com/blog/treating-whiplash-botox/>.

Images Cited

N.P.K. "Clostridium bolutinum Giant Microbe ." 2 January 2008. Giant Microbes. 2 February 2011 <http://www.giantmicrobes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6053>.

Schenectady County Community College. Clostridium botulinum. n.d. 2 February 2011 <http://www.sunysccc.edu/academic/mst/microbes/36cbotu.htm>.

Science Channel. "Top 10 Infectious Diseases." 2009 12 December. Science Discovery. 2 February 2011 <http://science.discovery.com/top-ten/2009/infectious-diseases/infectious-diseases-08.html>.

Science Photo Library. "Clostridium botulinum bacteria." 1999. Science Photo Library. 2 February 2011 <http://www.sciencephoto.com/images/download_lo_res.html?id=662201272>.

Science Photo Library. "Clostridium botulinum bacteria." 1999. Science Photo Library. 2 February 2011 <http://www.sciencephoto.com/images/download_lo_res.html?id=662201273>.

Strandwitz, Phil. "Infant Botulism." 17 April 2008. Botulism. 2 February 2011 <http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2008/strandwi_phil/new_page_1.htm>.

Wikimedia Commons. "File:Botulism1and2.JPG." 27 October 2010. Wikimedia Commons. 2 February 2011 <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Botulism1and2.JPG>.

Wikipedia. Botulinum Toxin. 24 January 2011. 2 February 2011 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botulinum_toxin>.

Images Cited (cont.)