Background: Recently, botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT)-derived recombinant proteins have been suggested as potential botulism vaccines. Here, with concentrating on BoNT type E (BoNT/E), we studied two of these binding domain-based recombinant proteins: a multivalent chimer protein, which is composed of BoNT serotypes A, B and E binding subdomains, and a monovalent recombinant protein, which contains...

background: foodborne botulism (fbb) is a rare paralyzing disease caused by ingestion of foods contaminated with botulinum neurotoxin (bont). it is still a health concern in many countries. this study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of fbb in west azerbaijan province, iran. methods: botulism surveillance data of the health deputy of urmia medical sciences university, northwestern iran was...

Clostridium botulinum, a Gram-positive, anaerobic spore-forming bacteria, is distinguished by its significant clinical applications as well as its potential to be used as bioterror agent. Growing cells secrete botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), the most poisonous of all known poisons. While BoNT is the causative agent of deadly neuroparalytic botulism, it also serves as a remarkably effective treatme...

Botulinum neurotoxin is one of the deadliest biological toxins known to mankind and is able to cause the debilitating disease botulism. The rapid detection of the different serotypes of botulinum neurotoxin is essential for both diagnosis of botulism and identifying the presence of toxin in potential cases of terrorism and food contamination. The modes of action of botulinum neurotoxins are wel...

Sensitive and rapid detection of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), the most poisonous substances known to date, is essential for studies of medical applications of BoNTs and detection of poisoned food, as well as for response to potential bioterrorist threats. Currently, the most common method of BoNT detection is the mouse bioassay. While this assay is sensitive, it is slow, quite expensive, has ...

A new gene encoding the Hc domain of Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin serotype F (FHc) was designed and completely synthesized with oligonucleotides. A soluble recombinant Hc of C. botulinum neurotoxin serotype F was highly expressed in Escherichia coli with this synthetic FHc gene. Subsequently, the purified FHc was used to vaccinate mice and evaluate their survival against challenge with acti...

BACKGROUND Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) is the active substance in preparations used for the highly effective treatment of neurologic disorders such as cervical dystonia, blepharospasm, or spasticity, as well as other indications such as axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis, and urologic disorders. OBJECTIVE To determine the amount of BoNT/A protein present in pharmaceutical preparations...

BACKGROUND On 7 and 11 July 2007, health officials in Texas and Indiana, respectively, reported 4 possible cases of type A foodborne botulism to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Foodborne botulism is a rare and sometimes fatal illness caused by consuming foods containing botulinum neurotoxin. METHODS Investigators reviewed patients' medical charts and food histories. Clinica...

Masseter muscle hypertrophy is a rare condition of unknown cause which is important in the differential diagnosis of head and neck masses, located in the cheek. Several treatment options reported for masseter hypertrophy, which range from simple pharmacotherapy to more invasive surgical reduction. Botulinum toxin type A is a powerful neurotoxin which is produced by the anaerobic organism Clostr...