In 1977, jars of contaminated Jalapeo peppers caused a botulism outbreak in Michigan (Source: CDC)

Delivery: Poisoning from BT can occur in several ways, the frequency of which varies from year to year. Approximately two thirds of all infections are caused by consumption of bacterial spores, which can turn into bacteria. This type of infection is commonly referred to as infant botulism because it primarily affects babies fed contaminated honey. Consumption of food contaminated with the toxin or bacteria is responsible for less than a quarter of all cases. Finally, bacterial infection of a wound causes a handful of cases each year. There are a few isolated examples of aerosolized BT causing illness in researchers who accidentally inhaled it. This, however, does not occur naturally.

Production: In theory, BT can be used as a biological weapon by contaminating food or drink with the toxin or the bacteria. It is also possible to weaponize BT as an aerosol. When C. botulinum is growing in ideal conditions, it produces toxin, which can be purified. However, processing the toxin into an aerosol is extremely difficult even for those with microbiology and bioweapons experience.

Historic Use: Botulinum toxin has not been used successfully as a biological weapon. However, the Japanese terrorist cult Aum Shinrikyo attempted to spread it as an aerosol three times from 1990-1995 without success. In the years leading up to the 1991 Gulf War, Iraq had a biological weapons program that produced a significant amount of BT.

Quick Facts

Agent Type: Neurotoxin
Lethality: High
Transmission: None
Treatment: Botulinum antitoxin, botulinum toxoid for vaccination
Status: Select Agent; Category A Agent
Delivery: Inhalation, ingestion, and wound infection

Mechanism: The toxin affects the connections between nerves and the muscles they control. It does this by interfering with the release of the chemical messenger, acetylcholine, which the nerve uses to signal the muscle to contract. After entering the cell, the toxin physically destroys proteins required for the release of acetylcholine, effectively silencing the nerve.

Effects: Within 18-36 hours after ingestion of contaminated food or 12-80 hours after inhalation of the toxin the first symptoms appear , but they can occur as early as 6 hours or as late as 10 days from the time of initial exposure depending upon the amount of toxin or bacteria present. This initially causes slurred speech, dry mouth, double and blurred vision, as well as breathing and swallowing difficulty. The effects slowly progress down the body symmetrically, weakening it, reducing muscle reflexes, and paralyzing the limbs. Botulism-related deaths are caused by paralysis of muscles required for breathing including the diaphragm.

Treatment: The main treatment for botulism is antitoxins, which are antibodies that bind to BT and prevent it from affecting nerve cells. Once the toxin is bound to the cell, antitoxin is ineffective against it, making rapid diagnosis critical to preventing further paralysis. Antibiotics are also administered to kill the bacteria. The currently available antitoxins are isolated from horses and can cause adverse reactions in people. Doctors must request antitoxin from the CDC to treat patients. The antitoxin effective against BT types A and B is licensed by the FDA. The U.S. Army also has an effective antitoxin, but it is not FDA approved. Finally, a vaccine against BT is given to U.S. military troops and lab personnel at high risk of exposure. Extensive paralysis caused by the toxin may require assisted breathing, feeding and physical therapy for months while new nerves connect to paralyzed muscles.