Tremendous excitement has been generated by the use of botulinum toxin for the treatment of various types of urethral and bladder dysfunction over the past several years. Botulinum toxin is the most lethal naturally occurring toxin known to mankind. Why, then, would an urologist want to use this agent to poison the bladder or urethral sphincter? In this review article we will examine the mechan...

Botulinum toxin blocks transmitter release by proceeding through a series of four steps: binding to cell surface receptors, penetration of the cell membrane by receptor-mediated endocytosis, penetration of the endosome membrane by pH-induced translocation, and intracellular proteolysis of substrates that govern exocytosis. Each of these steps is essential for toxin action on intact cells. There...

Botulinum neurotoxins, causative agents of botulism in humans, are produced by Clostridium botulinum, an anaerobic spore-former Gram positive bacillus. Botulinum neurotoxin poses a major bioweapon threat because of its extreme potency and lethality; its ease of production, transport, and misuse; and the need for prolonged intensive care among affected persons. A single gram of crystalline toxin...

Since its development for clinical use in 1980s botulinum toxin, the most potent biological toxin known to man has become a useful drug in various field of medicine. It was initially used to treat neurological disorders characterized by excessive muscle contractions. Since many patients report alleviation of pain before the muscle relaxing effect of botulinum toxin type-A has started, a direct ...

Botulinum toxin A injection is performed most frequently for facial rejuvenation all over the world. Some bizarre and severe side effects have been reported after botulinum toxin A injection. Herein, we present a case of vasculitis with panniculitis after a patient underwent a cosmetic procedure that included injection of purported botulinum toxin A.

Previously we reported that SNAP-25, synaptobrevin II, and syntaxin I, the intracellular substrates of botulinum toxin originally identified in nontarget tissues, were present in a recognized mammalian target tissue, the mouse hemidiaphragm. Furthermore, we reported that SNAP-25, syntaxin I, and synaptobrevin II were cleaved by incubation of the intact hemidiaphragm in botulinum serotypes A, C,...

The largest reported outbreak of type C botulism in fur production animals is described. Epidemiological investigation of 117 out of 157 (response rate, 74.5%) farms revealed that 44,130 animals died or were euthanized, while 8,033 animals with milder symptoms recovered. The overall death rate in all animals at risk was 21.7%. The death rates were significantly higher in blue and shadow foxes (...

Clostridium botulinum produces a characteristic botulinum neurotoxin which can cause an often fatal neuroparalytic condition known as botulism. Although food-borne botulism is rare, critical screening by food companies is necessary to ensure that food products are safe. At present, the food industry assesses the risks of botulinum neurotoxin production by challenge testing to check any new food...

BACKGROUND Pharyngoesophageal spasm is a known entity to cause hypertonic/failed tracheoesophageal speech and is successfully treated by botulinum toxin A injection. However, success of botulinum toxin treatment is based on the accurate localization of the pharyngoesophageal segment. METHODS A 65-year-old man who had a laryngectomy using voice prosthesis with hypertonic speech underwent ultra...

BACKGROUND Many patients with essential blepharospasm also show dry eye signs and symptoms. Botulinum toxin A is an effective treatment for reducing spasms in these patients. In this investigation, the effect of botulinum toxin A injections on tear function and on the morphology of the ocular surface in patients suffering from blepharospasm in combination with a dry eye syndrome was investigate...