the bacteria that causes botulism is often present at clostridium botulinum.
the bacteria that causes botulism is often present at clostridium botulinum.
where is the bacteria that causes botulism often present?
clostridium botulinum
botulism can be spread in several ways. the bacterial spores which cause it are common in both soil and water. they produce the botulinum toxin when exposed to low oxygen levels and certain temperatures. foodborne botulism happens when food containing the toxin is eaten. infant botulism happens when the bacteria develops in the intestines and releases the toxin. this typically only occurs in children less than six months old, as protective mechanisms develop after that time. wound botulism is found most often among those who inject street drugs. in this situation, spores enter a wound, and in the absence of oxygen, release the toxin. it is not passed directly between people. the diagnosis is confirmed by finding the toxin or bacteria in the person in question.
botulism
food-borne botulism results, indirectly, from ingestion of food contaminated with clostridium spores, where exposure to an anaerobic environment allows the spores to germinate, after which the bacteria can multiply and produce toxin. critically, "it is ingestion of toxin rather than spores or vegetative bacteria" that causes botulism. botulism is nevertheless known to be transmitted through canned foods not cooked correctly before canning or after can opening, and so is preventable. infant botulism cases arise chiefly as a result of environmental exposure and are therefore more difficult to prevent. infant botulism arising from consumption of honey can be prevented by eliminating honey from diets of children less than 12 months old.
botulinum toxin