BOTULISMOTOXIN Meaning and
Definition
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Botulismotoxin is a noun that refers to a highly potent neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is one of the most lethal toxins known to humans. This toxin is responsible for a severe and potentially fatal illness called botulism.
Botulismotoxin works by blocking the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in transmitting signals between nerve cells and muscles. This blockade leads to a condition known as flaccid paralysis, which can cause muscle weakness or paralysis throughout the body.
Symptoms of botulism can include blurred vision, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness, and respiratory failure. In severe cases, it can even result in death if respiratory muscles become paralyzed.
The toxin can be obtained through consumption of contaminated food, particularly improperly processed or canned food that has been improperly stored. It can also enter the body through open wounds or cuts contaminated with the bacterium.
Botulismotoxin is regarded as a potential biological weapon due to its extreme potency and ability to cause widespread paralysis and death. However, it is also utilized in medical treatments, particularly for certain muscle disorders like blepharospasm or cervical dystonia, where small doses of the toxin are injected into specific muscles to induce localized paralysis and alleviate symptoms.
Given the seriousness and potential lethal consequences associated with botulismotoxin, prompt medical intervention is imperative in cases of suspected exposure or infection.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BOTULISMOTOXIN
- votulismotoxin
- notulismotoxin
- hotulismotoxin
- gotulismotoxin
- bitulismotoxin
- bktulismotoxin
- bltulismotoxin
- bptulismotoxin
- b0tulismotoxin
- b9tulismotoxin
- borulismotoxin
- bofulismotoxin
- bogulismotoxin
- boyulismotoxin
- bo6ulismotoxin
- bo5ulismotoxin
- botylismotoxin
- bothlismotoxin
- botjlismotoxin
Etymology of BOTULISMOTOXIN
The word "botulism" originates from the Latin word "botulus" which means sausage, as sausages were initially associated with food poisoning caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum which produces the toxin.
The term "toxin" is derived from the Greek word "toxikon", meaning arrow, as toxins were initially identified as substances used to poison arrows.
Therefore, the term "botulismotoxin" is a combination of the word "botulism" referring to the disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, and the word "toxin" indicating a poisonous substance produced by certain organisms.
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