Citation

Bossi P, Bricaire F. Presse Med. (1983) 2003; 32(10): 463-465.

Vernacular Title

La toxine botulique, arme bioterroriste.

Affiliation

Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière 47-83 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris. philippe.bossi@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12733311

Abstract

BOTULISM AND BIOWARFARE: Botulism is a severe neuro-paralysing infection due to a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. The use of the botulinum toxin for terrorist aims in the form of aerosols is a perfectly credible eventuality. The botulinum toxin is the most potent toxin known; it is easy to produce and can lead to massive destruction. DEPENDING ON THE CONTAMINATION: The clinical forms of botulism depend on the mode of contamination. Botulism through inhalation can only be the result of a deliberate act using an aerosol. The clinical symptomatology is identical to that of the other forms. PREVENTION: In the case of a bio-terrorist attack with an aerosol of botulinum toxin, the subjects exposed should be vaccinated as a prophylactic measure with trivalent antitoxin vaccine (types A, B and E). This vaccine must be administered as rapidly as possible in symptomatic patients. A single case of botulism acquired by inhalation corresponds to an act of terrorism.

Language: fr