Biomedical Aspects of Botulism

Biomedical Aspects of Botulism contains the proceedings of an International Conference on the Biomedical Aspects of Botulism, held at Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland on March 16-18, 1981. Organized into eight parts, this book begins with a discussion on the structure, structure-function relationships, and oral toxicities of the various botulinal toxins. Subsequent chapters focus on the cellular and subcellular effects of this toxin; a model to account for toxin-induced blockage of transmitter release; and approaches for dealing with and utilizing the botulinal toxins. Some chapters discuss the involvement of specific bacteriophages in the toxigenicity of Clostridium botulinum, types C and D; properties and qualitative aspects of tetanus and botulinal toxins; and human and animal botulism, including infant botulism and shaker foal syndrome. Selected aspects of the development of toxoids, an insight into the anticipated development of bacterial products, and the epidemiologic characteristics of botulism in the United States are also presented. The book ends with the trends in the therapy of botulism. This volume will serve as a valuable reference to those in the fields of bacteriology, biochemistry, immunology, neurophysiology, pathology, pharmacology, and toxinology. This book will also be helpful both to physicians and veterinarians who need a single source on the biomedical aspects of botulism.