Case Study:Botulinum Toxin Type ABY: DANIEL ASA

Consider the Following Patient

An 18 year old Male coming back from a camping trip is experiencing extreme muscle fatigue along with acute signs of paralysis. Upon questioning he had brought his own canned food, bottled water and had no lacerations during the camping trip. During his stay in the hospital he also acquires symptoms of droopy eyelids and a weak voice.

Diagnosis

Routine Lab Tests are done showing no abnormalities with the CBC test, electrolytes, LFTS, Tenisol, or urinanlysis

The Patient also has a normal MRI(C13 NMR) and CT

Confirmation of Botulinum Toxin A is done with culturing of the bacteria found in the stool of the patient

Toxin Mechanism

• The Toxin works by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine

• Acetylcholine allows for signals to be sent from the brain to various muscles.

Clostridium Botulinum Bacteria• The bacteria often hides innate

in a spore formation until consumed by a host

• The spore formation is displayed to the left and allows the bacterium to evade antiseptics

• Because of this spore formation the toxin sits hidden in improperly sealed or punctured canned foods

Inhibition MechanismOnce arrived in the cytoplasm the L-chain attacks one of the fusion proteins at a neuromuscolar junction, preventing vesicles from anchoring to the membrane to release acetylcholine, in order to interfere with the nerve impulses and causing flaccid paralysis of muscles.

Treatment

Treatments in the early stages of the disease include and antitoxin drug that attaches to the toxin disarming it

This is the only treatment besides rest that is prescribed since the damage to nerves can not be reversed besides natural nerve regeneration

Works Cited

Botulism. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17, 2016, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/botulism/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20025875

THE BOTULINUM TOXIN: friend and foe. (n.d.). Retrieved December 17, 2016, from http://flipper.diff.org/app/items/5437