Botulism

Descending paralysis after improperly canned food or a contaminated wound; the toxin behind Botox. Toxin-mediated descending flaccid paralysis, cleaves SNAP-25 at the neuromuscular junction.

Key facts

CauseBacteria
SpreadContaminated food
Incubation0–3 days
VaccineNo
TreatmentAntitoxin + supportive care / antibiotics

Did you know?

Botulinum toxin cleaves SNARE proteins (SNAP-25) at the neuromuscular junction, blocking acetylcholine release → descending FLACCID paralysis. It's the exact mirror image of tetanus: tetanospasmin also cleaves SNARE proteins, but inside the spinal cord's inhibitory neurons (shutting off GABA/glycine) → SPASTIC paralysis. Same Clostridium genus, same class of mechanism, opposite clinical outcome — one relaxes you to death, the other locks you rigid.

Next: Candidiasis

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