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Virulence Dec 2023, a polyphyletic Gram-positive taxon of bacteria, is classified purely by their ability to produce botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). BoNT is the primary virulence factor and... (Review)
Review
, a polyphyletic Gram-positive taxon of bacteria, is classified purely by their ability to produce botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). BoNT is the primary virulence factor and the causative agent of botulism. A potentially fatal disease, botulism is classically characterized by a symmetrical descending flaccid paralysis, which is left untreated can lead to respiratory failure and death. Botulism cases are classified into three main forms dependent on the nature of intoxication; foodborne, wound and infant. The BoNT, regarded as the most potent biological substance known, is a zinc metalloprotease that specifically cleaves SNARE proteins at neuromuscular junctions, preventing exocytosis of neurotransmitters, leading to muscle paralysis. The BoNT is now used to treat numerous medical conditions caused by overactive or spastic muscles and is extensively used in the cosmetic industry due to its high specificity and the exceedingly small doses needed to exert long-lasting pharmacological effects. Additionally, the ability to form endospores is critical to the pathogenicity of the bacteria. Disease transmission is often facilitated via the metabolically dormant spores that are highly resistant to environment stresses, allowing persistence in the environment in unfavourable conditions. Infant and wound botulism infections are initiated upon germination of the spores into neurotoxin producing vegetative cells, whereas foodborne botulism is attributed to ingestion of preformed BoNT. is a saprophytic bacterium, thought to have evolved its potent neurotoxin to establish a source of nutrients by killing its host.
Topics: Infant; Humans; Clostridium botulinum; Botulism; Virulence; Neurotoxins; Botulinum Toxins
PubMed: 37157163
DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2205251 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2023The globalization of food trade and the emergence of disease outbreaks involving several foodborne pathogens and foods has focused the attention of both the research...
The globalization of food trade and the emergence of disease outbreaks involving several foodborne pathogens and foods has focused the attention of both the research community and consumers on food safety [...].
PubMed: 37835174
DOI: 10.3390/foods12193521 -
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Oct 2023is a major foodborne pathogen of both animals and humans. This bacterium is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality world-wide. Different serovars of this... (Review)
Review
is a major foodborne pathogen of both animals and humans. This bacterium is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality world-wide. Different serovars of this genus cause diseases ranging from self-limiting gastroenteritis to a potentially fatal systemic disease known as enteric fever. Gastrointestinal infections with are usually self-limiting and rarely require medical intervention. Bloodstream infections, on the other hand, are often fatal even with hospitalization. This review describes the routes and underlying mechanisms of the extraintestinal dissemination of and the chronic infections that sometimes result. It includes information on the pathogenicity islands and individual virulence factors involved in systemic dissemination as well as a discussion of the host factors that mediate susceptibility. Also, the major outbreaks of invasive disease in the tropics are described.
PubMed: 37999606
DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8110487 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Sep 2023During 2006-2021, Canada had 55 laboratory-confirmed outbreaks of foodborne botulism, involving 67 cases. The mean annual incidence was 0.01 case/100,000 population.... (Review)
Review
During 2006-2021, Canada had 55 laboratory-confirmed outbreaks of foodborne botulism, involving 67 cases. The mean annual incidence was 0.01 case/100,000 population. Foodborne botulism in Indigenous communities accounted for 46% of all cases, which is down from 85% of all cases during 1990-2005. Among all cases, 52% were caused by botulinum neurotoxin type E, but types A (24%), B (16%), F (3%), and AB (1%) also occurred; 3% were caused by undetermined serotypes. Four outbreaks resulted from commercial products, including a 2006 international outbreak caused by carrot juice. Hospital data indicated that 78% of patients were transferred to special care units and 70% required mechanical ventilation; 7 deaths were reported. Botulinum neurotoxin type A was associated with much longer hospital stays and more time spent in special care than types B or E. Foodborne botulism often is misdiagnosed. Increased clinician awareness can improve diagnosis, which can aid epidemiologic investigations and patient treatment.
Topics: Humans; Botulism; Canada; Disease Outbreaks; Hospitals; Laboratories
PubMed: 37610295
DOI: 10.3201/eid2909.230409 -
Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegeforening... Feb 2024This case study describes severe iatrogenic botulism following treatment with a botulinum toxin injection at a private clinic abroad.
This case study describes severe iatrogenic botulism following treatment with a botulinum toxin injection at a private clinic abroad.
Topics: Humans; Botulism; Botulinum Toxins, Type A; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Iatrogenic Disease; Clostridium botulinum
PubMed: 38349108
DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.23.0625 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023
Topics: Point-of-Care Testing; Foodborne Diseases; Infections
PubMed: 37434781
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1219506 -
One Health (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Dec 2023The majority of emerging infectious diseases are zoonoses, most of which are classified as "neglected". By affecting both humans and animals, zoonoses pose a dual... (Review)
Review
The majority of emerging infectious diseases are zoonoses, most of which are classified as "neglected". By affecting both humans and animals, zoonoses pose a dual burden. The disability-adjusted life year (DALY) metric quantifies human health burden since it combines mortality and morbidity. This review aims to describe and analyze the current state of evidence on neglected zoonotic diseases (NZDs) burden and start a discussion on the current understanding of the global burden of NZDs. We identified 26 priority NZDs through consulting three international repositories for national prioritization exercises. A systematic review of global and national burden of disease (BoD) studies was conducted using pre-selected databases. Data on diseases, location and DALYs were extracted for each eligible study. A total of 1887 records were screened, resulting in 74 eligible studies. The highest number of BoD was found for non-typhoidal salmonellosis (23), whereas no estimates were found for West Nile, Marburg and Lassa fever. Geographically, the highest number of studies was performed in the Netherlands (11), China (5) and Iran (4). The number of BoD retrieved mismatched the perceived importance in national prioritization exercises. For example, anthrax was considered a priority NZD in 65 countries; however, only one national study estimating BoD was retrieved. By summing the available global estimates, the selected NZDs caused at least 21 million DALYs per year, a similar order of magnitude to (but less than) the burden due to foodborne disease (included in the Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group). The global burden of disease landscape of NZDs remains scattered. There are several priority NZDs for which no burden estimates exist, and the number of BoD studies does not reflect national disease priorities. To have complete and consistent estimates of the global burden of NZDs, these diseases should be integrated in larger global burden of disease initiatives.
PubMed: 37545541
DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100595 -
Microorganisms Jun 2023Foodborne microorganisms substantially impact food safety and contribute considerably to the public health and economic burden of infectious diseases worldwide [...].
Foodborne microorganisms substantially impact food safety and contribute considerably to the public health and economic burden of infectious diseases worldwide [...].
PubMed: 37375046
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061544