Current development status of laboratory diagnostics of botulism

Jeon Jun Ho, Woo Sun-Je, Kang Byung Hak, Rhie Gi-eun
Division of High-risk Pathogens, Center for Laboratory Control of Infectious Diseases, KCDC

Botulism is a fatal disease caused by botulinum toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum, an anaerobic, Gram-positive bacterium. Botulinum toxins are known to be the deadliest toxins, and induce flaccid paralysis by inhibiting the secretion of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter in humans. Botulinum toxins are classified into seven toxins ranging from A to G according to their antigenicity. Among them, serotypes A, B, E, and F cause botulism in humans. Botulinum toxin is one of the substances most likely to be used in biological weapons or terrorism because of its high toxicity. In addition, patients with botulism do not comprise a large number of cases worldwide, but because the symptoms are severe, rapid laboratory diagnosis is essential for the treatment of affected patients. To date, a mouse bioassay has been used for laboratory tests of botulism, but alternative testing methods have been required because of animal ethics issues. In this report, we introduce the latest research trends in laboratory diagnostics of botulism.

Keywords: Botulism, Botulinum Toxins, Clostridium botulinum, Laboratory diagnostics, Neurotransmitter