71-404: Sodium nitrite is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Na N O 2 . It is a white to slightly yellowish crystalline powder that is very soluble in water and is hygroscopic . From an industrial perspective, it is the most important nitrite salt. It is a precursor to a variety of organic compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, dyes, and pesticides, but it is probably best known as
142-522: A 69% decrease in average nitrite content. This event preceded the beginning of a dramatic decline in gastric cancer mortality. Around 1970, it was found that ascorbic acid (vitamin C), an antioxidant , inhibits nitrosamine formation. Consequently, the addition of at least 550 ppm of ascorbic acid is required in meats manufactured in the United States. Manufacturers sometimes instead use erythorbic acid ,
213-581: A T1-bright (hyperintense) signal of the blood; both within intracardiac blood on chest MRIs and postmortem blood samples in tubes." Death by sodium nitrite ingestion can happen at lower doses than the LD Lo . Sodium nitrite has been used for homicide and suicide. To prevent accidental intoxication, sodium nitrite (blended with salt) sold as a food additive in the US is dyed bright pink to avoid mistaking it for plain salt or sugar. In other countries, nitrited curing salt
284-470: A botulism outbreak. The isolate was originally named Bacillus botulinus , after the Latin word for sausage, botulus . ("Sausage poisoning" was a common problem in 18th- and 19th-century Germany, and was most likely caused by botulism.) However, isolates from subsequent outbreaks were always found to be anaerobic spore formers, so Ida A. Bengtson proposed that both be placed into the genus Clostridium , as
355-459: A cheaper but equally effective isomer of ascorbic acid. Additionally, manufacturers may include α-tocopherol (vitamin E) to further inhibit nitrosamine production. α-Tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and erythorbic acid all inhibit nitrosamine production by their oxidation-reduction properties. Ascorbic acid, for example, forms dehydroascorbic acid when oxidized , which when in the presence of nitrosonium ,
426-436: A chemical as inorganic does not necessarily mean that it cannot occur within living things. Friedrich Wöhler 's conversion of ammonium cyanate into urea in 1828 is often cited as the starting point of modern organic chemistry . In Wöhler's era, there was widespread belief that organic compounds were characterized by a vital spirit . In the absence of vitalism, the distinction between inorganic and organic chemistry
497-729: A chemical reaction to replace O 2 with CO 2 . C. botulinum (groups I through III) is a lipase -positive microorganism that grows between pH of 4.8 and 7.0 and cannot use lactose as a primary carbon source, characteristics important for biochemical identification. The exact mechanism behind sporulation of C. botulinum is not known. Different strains of C. botulinum can be divided into three different groups, group I, II, and III, based on environmental conditions like heat resistance, temperature, and biome. Within each group, different strains will use different strategies to adapt to their environment to survive. Unlike other clostridial species, C. botulinum spores will sporulate as it enters
568-451: A diagnosis or suspicion of botulism, patients should be hospitalized immediately, even if the diagnosis and/or tests are pending. Additionally if botulism is suspected, patients should be treated immediately with antitoxin therapy in order to reduce mortality. Immediate intubation is also highly recommended, as respiratory failure is the primary cause of death from botulism. In North America, an equine-derived heptavalent botulinum antitoxin
639-409: A food additive used in processed meats and (in some countries) in fish products. The main use of sodium nitrite is for the industrial production of organonitrogen compounds. It is a reagent for conversion of amines into diazo compounds, which are key precursors to many dyes, such as diazo dyes . Nitroso compounds are produced from nitrites. These are used in the rubber industry. It is used in
710-848: A genospecies. The situation as of 2018 is as follows: Smith et al. (2018) argues that group I should be called C. parabotulinum and group III be called C. novyi sensu lato , leaving only group II in C. botulinum . This argument is not accepted by the LPSN and would cause an unjustified change of the type strain under the Prokaryotic Code . (The current type strain ATCC 25763 falls into group I.) Dobritsa et al. (2018) argues, without formal descriptions, that group II can potentially be made into two new species. The complete genome of C. botulinum ATCC 3502 has been sequenced at Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in 2007. This strain encodes
781-401: A link. The researchers did adjust for many of COPD's risk factors, but they commented they cannot rule out all possible unmeasurable causes or risks for COPD. Industrial production of sodium nitrite follows one of two processes, the reduction of nitrate salts, or the oxidation of lower nitrogen oxides . One method uses molten sodium nitrate as the salt, and lead which is oxidized, while
SECTION 10
#1732780948762852-410: A low-acid, canned vegetable such as green beans that are not heated enough to kill the spores (i.e., a pressurized environment) may provide an oxygen-free medium for the spores to grow and produce the toxin. However, pickles are sufficiently acidic to prevent growth; even if the spores are present, they pose no danger to the consumer. Honey , corn syrup , and other sweeteners may contain spores, but
923-566: A more modern method uses scrap iron filings to reduce the nitrate. A more commonly used method involves the general reaction of nitrogen oxides in alkaline aqueous solution, with the addition of a catalyst . The exact conditions depend on which nitrogen oxides are used, and what the oxidant is, as the conditions need to be carefully controlled to avoid over oxidation of the nitrogen atom. Sodium nitrite has also been produced by reduction of nitrate salts by exposure to heat, light, ionizing radiation, metals, hydrogen, and electrolytic reduction. In
994-495: A potent nitrosating agent formed from sodium nitrite, reduces the nitrosonium into nitric oxide. The nitrosonium ion formed in acidic nitrite solutions is commonly mislabeled nitrous anhydride , an unstable nitrogen oxide that cannot exist in vitro. Ingesting nitrite under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation has been classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans" by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Sodium nitrite consumption has also been linked to
1065-467: A type "A" toxin. Physicians may consider the diagnosis of botulism based on a patient's clinical presentation, which classically includes an acute onset of bilateral cranial neuropathies and symmetric descending weakness. Other key features of botulism include an absence of fever, symmetric neurologic deficits, normal or slow heart rate and normal blood pressure, and no sensory deficits except for blurred vision. A careful history and physical examination
1136-466: A variety of metallurgical applications, for phosphatizing and detinning. Sodium nitrite is an effective corrosion inhibitor and is used as an additive in industrial greases, as an aqueous solution in closed loop cooling systems, and in a molten state as a heat transfer medium. Sodium nitrite is used to speed up the curing of meat, inhibit the germination of Clostridium botulinum spores, and also impart an attractive pink color. Nitrite reacts with
1207-403: Is an obligate anaerobe , the organism survives in an environment that lacks oxygen . However, C. botulinum tolerates traces of oxygen due to the enzyme superoxide dismutase , which is an important antioxidant defense in nearly all cells exposed to oxygen. C. botulinum is able to produce the neurotoxin only during sporulation, which can happen only in an anaerobic environment. C. botulinum
1278-471: Is approved for usage in the European Union, USA, and Australia and New Zealand. In meat processing, sodium nitrite is never used in a pure state but always mixed with common salt . This mixture is known as nitrited salt, curing salt or nitrited curing salt. In Europe, nitrited curing salt contains between 99.1% and 99.5% common salt and between 0.5% and 0.9% nitrite. In the US, nitrited curing salt
1349-633: Is associated with type G. The "gold standard" for determining toxin type is a mouse bioassay, but the genes for types A, B, E, and F can now be readily differentiated using quantitative PCR . Type "H" is in fact a recombinant toxin from types A and F. It can be neutralized by type A antitoxin and no longer is considered a distinct type. A few strains from organisms genetically identified as other Clostridium species have caused human botulism: C. butyricum has produced type E toxin and C. baratii had produced type F toxin. The ability of C. botulinum to naturally transfer neurotoxin genes to other clostridia
1420-492: Is because the interior of the muscle is sterile and the surface is exposed to oxygen. Sodium nitrite has shown varying degrees of effectiveness for controlling growth of other spoilage or disease causing microorganisms. Although the inhibitory mechanisms are not well known, its effectiveness depends on several factors including residual nitrite level, pH , salt concentration, reductants present and iron content. The type of bacteria also affects sodium nitrite's effectiveness. It
1491-434: Is concerning, especially in the food industry , where preservation systems are designed to destroy or inhibit only C. botulinum but not other Clostridium species. Many C. botulinum genes play a role in the breakdown of essential carbohydrates and the metabolism of sugars. Chitin is the preferred source of carbon and nitrogen for C. botulinum . Hall A strain of C. botulinum has an active chitinolytic system to aid in
SECTION 20
#17327809487621562-406: Is considered to be a major reason for the deterioration of quality of meat products (rancidity and unappetizing flavors). Sodium nitrite acts as an antioxidant in a mechanism similar to the one responsible for the coloring effect. Nitrite reacts with heme proteins and metal ions, neutralizing free radicals by nitric oxide (one of its byproducts). Neutralization of these free radicals terminates
1633-663: Is critical that responding individuals administer immediate methylene blue . Methylene blue is the antidote to the methemoglobinemia caused by intentional ingestion of sodium nitrite as a suicide agent. Sodium nitrite is toxic. The LD 50 in rats is 180 mg/kg and in humans LD Lo is 71 mg/kg. The mechanism by which sodium nitrite causes death is methemoglobinemia . The oftentimes severe methemoglobinemia found in sodium nitrite poisoning cases results in systemic hypoxia , metabolic acidosis , and cyanosis . The reported signs of sodium nitrite poisoning are as follows: "Symptoms of [nitrite] poisoning can vary depending on
1704-448: Is divided into four distinct phenotypic groups (I-IV) and is also classified into seven serotypes (A–G) based on the antigenicity of the botulinum toxin produced. On the level visible to DNA sequences, the phenotypic grouping matches the results of whole-genome and rRNA analyses, and setotype grouping approximates the result of analyses focused specifically on the toxin sequence. The two phylogenetic trees do not match because of
1775-417: Is dosed at 6% and must be remixed with salt before use. The appearance and taste of meat is an important component of consumer acceptance. Sodium nitrite is responsible for the desirable red color (or shaded pink) of meat. Very little nitrite is needed to induce this change. It has been reported that as little as 2 to 14 parts per million (ppm) is needed to induce this desirable color change. However, to extend
1846-413: Is generally agreed that sodium nitrite is not effective for controlling Gram-negative enteric pathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli . Other food additives (such as lactate and sorbate ) provide similar protection against bacteria, but do not provide the desired pink color. Sodium nitrite is also able to effectively delay the development of oxidative rancidity . Lipid peroxidation
1917-565: Is merely semantic. Clostridium botulinum Clostridium botulinum is a gram-positive , rod-shaped , anaerobic , spore-forming , motile bacterium with the ability to produce botulinum toxin , which is a neurotoxin . C. botulinum is a diverse group of pathogenic bacteria . Initially, they were grouped together by their ability to produce botulinum toxin and are now known as four distinct groups, C. botulinum groups I–IV. Along with some strains of Clostridium butyricum and Clostridium baratii , these bacteria all produce
1988-472: Is nearly identical in most reactions. The obtained products carry isotope N and hence nitrogen NMR can be efficiently carried out. Inorganic compound An inorganic compound is typically a chemical compound that lacks carbon–hydrogen bonds — that is, a compound that is not an organic compound . The study of inorganic compounds is a subfield of chemistry known as inorganic chemistry . Inorganic compounds comprise most of
2059-648: Is not dyed but is strictly regulated. Nitrites do not occur naturally in vegetables in significant quantities, but deliberate fermentation of celery juice , for instance, with a naturally high level of nitrates, can produce nitrite levels sufficient for commercial meat curing. Boiling vegetables does not affect nitrite levels. The presence of nitrite in animal tissue is a consequence of metabolism of nitric oxide , an important neurotransmitter. Nitric oxide can be created de novo from nitric oxide synthase utilizing arginine or from ingested nitrite. Due to sodium nitrite's high level of toxicity to swine ( Sus scrofa ) it
2130-489: Is not recommended by the USA's FDA as a means of control. Botulism poisoning can occur due to preserved or home-canned, low-acid food that was not processed using correct preservation times and/or pressure. Growth of the bacterium can be prevented by high acidity , high ratio of dissolved sugar , high levels of oxygen, very low levels of moisture, or storage at temperatures below 3 °C (38 °F) for type A. For example, in
2201-544: Is now C. argentinense . Although group II cannot degrade native protein such as casein , coagulated egg white , and cooked meat particles, it is able to degrade gelatin . Human botulism is predominantly caused by group I or II C. botulinum . Group III organisms mainly cause diseases in non-human animals. In the laboratory, C. botulinum is usually isolated in tryptose sulfite cycloserine (TSC) growth medium in an anaerobic environment with less than 2% oxygen. This can be achieved by several commercial kits that use
Sodium nitrite - Misplaced Pages Continue
2272-597: Is now being developed in Australia to control feral pigs and wild boar . The sodium nitrite induces methemoglobinemia in swine, i.e. it reduces the amount of oxygen that is released from hemoglobin, so the animal will feel faint and pass out, and then die in a humane manner after first being rendered unconscious. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department operates a research facility at Kerr Wildlife Management Area , where they examine feral pig feeding preferences and bait tactics to administer sodium nitrite. Carcinogenicity
2343-516: Is often believed to be a potential bioweapon as it is so potent that it takes about 75 nanograms to kill a person ( LD 50 of 1 ng/kg, assuming an average person weighs ~75 kg); 1 kilogram of it would be enough to kill the entire human population . A "mouse protection" or "mouse bioassay" test determines the type of C. botulinum toxin present using monoclonal antibodies . An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) with digoxigenin -labeled antibodies can also be used to detect
2414-433: Is paramount to diagnose the type of botulism, as well as to rule out other conditions with similar findings, such as Guillain–Barré syndrome , stroke , and myasthenia gravis . Depending on the type of botulism considered, different tests for diagnosis may be indicated. Other tests that may be helpful in ruling out other conditions are: Signs and symptoms of foodborne botulism typically begin between 18 and 36 hours after
2485-402: Is related to food, such as honey, problems generally begin within 18 to 36 hours after the toxin enters the baby's body. Signs and symptoms include: Purified botulinum toxin is diluted by a physician for treatment of: A very rare form of botulism that occurs by the same route as infant botulism but is among adults. Occurs rarely and sporadically. Signs and symptoms include: In the case of
2556-426: Is responsible for foodborne botulism (ingestion of preformed toxin), infant botulism (intestinal infection with toxin-forming C. botulinum ), and wound botulism (infection of a wound with C. botulinum ). C. botulinum produces heat-resistant endospores that are commonly found in soil and are able to survive under adverse conditions. C. botulinum is a Gram-positive , rod-shaped, spore-forming bacterium . It
2627-402: Is some evidence of potential harm to the baby. Sodium nitrite works by creating methemoglobin, where the iron atom at the center of the heme group is in the oxidized ferric ( Fe ) state, which binds with cyanide with greater affinity than its binding to the cytochrome C oxidase , and thus removes it from blocking the metabolic function of mitochondria . Sodium nitrite came into medical use in
2698-516: Is the ability or tendency of a chemical to induce tumors, increase their incidence or malignancy, or shorten the time of tumor occurrence. Adding nitrites to meat has been shown to generate known carcinogens such as nitrosamines ; the World Health Organization (WHO) advises that 50 g (1.8 oz) of "processed meats" a day would raise the risk of getting bowel cancer by 18% over a lifetime, and eating larger amounts raises
2769-404: Is typically established via screening techniques such as scene evidence suggesting fatal consumption of a toxic salt in addition to the characteristic grey-purple lividity observed upon the body. The diagnosis can be established via postmortem blood testing demonstrating elevated methemoglobin saturation. Additionally, we have confirmed that postmortem MRI in cases of [methemoglobinemia] demonstrates
2840-419: Is used to treat all serotypes of non-infant naturally occurring botulism. For infants less than one year of age, botulism immune globulin is used to treat type A or type B. Outcomes vary between one and three months, but with prompt interventions, mortality from botulism ranges from less than 5 percent to 8 percent. There used to be a formalin-treated toxoid vaccine against botulism (serotypes A-E), but it
2911-681: The Earth's crust , although the compositions of the deep mantle remain active areas of investigation. All allotropes (structurally different pure forms of an element) and some simple carbon compounds are often considered inorganic. Examples include the allotropes of carbon ( graphite , diamond , buckminsterfullerene , graphene , etc.), carbon monoxide CO , carbon dioxide CO 2 , carbides , and salts of inorganic anions such as carbonates , cyanides , cyanates , thiocyanates , isothiocyanates , etc. Many of these are normal parts of mostly organic systems, including organisms ; describing
Sodium nitrite - Misplaced Pages Continue
2982-425: The 1920s and 1930s. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines . Several academic publications in 2020 and 2021 have discussed the toxicity of sodium nitrite, and an apparent recent increase in suicides using sodium nitrite which had been ordered online. The usage of sodium nitrite as a suicide method has been heavily discussed on suicide forums, primarily Sanctioned Suicide . Sodium nitrite
3053-524: The C and D types), indicating that the C. botulinum acquired the toxin genes quite far in the evolutionary past. Nevertheless, further transfers still happen via the plasmids and other mobile elements the genes are located on. Only botulinum toxin types A, B, E, F and H (FA) cause disease in humans. Types A, B, and E are associated with food-borne illness, while type E is specifically associated with fish products. Type C produces limber-neck in birds and type D causes botulism in other mammals. No disease
3124-421: The ability of the toxin gene cluster to be horizontally transferred. Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) production is the unifying feature of the species. Seven serotypes of toxins have been identified that are allocated a letter (A–G), several of which can cause disease in humans. They are resistant to degradation by enzymes found in the gastrointestinal tract. This allows for ingested toxins to be absorbed from
3195-415: The above-mentioned issues has led to production of meat with extended storage life and has improved desirable color and taste. According to scientists working for the meat industry, nitrite has improved food safety . This view is disputed in the light of the possible carcinogenic effects caused by adding nitrites to meat. Nitrite has the E number E250. Potassium nitrite (E249) is used in the same way. It
3266-551: The amount and duration of the exposure. Those with very mild methemoglobinemia might not have any symptoms at all, or might appear a little pale and feel tired. Moderate-to-severe poisoning is associated with cyanosis (blueness of the skin), confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures, abnormal heart rhythms, and death." With prompt action, sodium nitrite poisoning is reversible using an antidote, methylene blue . It has been reported that sodium nitrite poisoning can also be detected post-mortem: "Postmortem detection of [methemoglobinemia]
3337-484: The breakdown of chitin. Type A and B of C. botulinum production of BoNT is affected by nitrogen and carbon nutrition. There is evidence that these processes are also under catabolite repression. Physiological differences and genome sequencing at 16S rRNA level support the subdivision of the C. botulinum species into groups I-IV. Some authors have briefly used groups V and VI, corresponding to toxin-producing C. baratii and C. butyricum . What used to be group IV
3408-470: The curing process used to preserve meats, when sodium nitrite-treated meat is cooked, and also from the reaction of nitrite with secondary amines under acidic conditions (such as occurs in the human stomach). Dietary sources of nitrosamines include US cured meats preserved with sodium nitrite as well as the dried salted fish eaten in Japan. In the 1920s, a significant change in US meat curing practices resulted in
3479-457: The cycle of lipid oxidation that leads to rancidity. Sodium nitrite is used as a medication together with sodium thiosulfate to treat cyanide poisoning . It is recommended only in severe cases of cyanide poisoning and has largely been replaced by use of hydroxocobalamin . Hydroxycobalamin , a form of vitamin B12 , but given in much higher doses than needed nutritionally, has largely replaced
3550-400: The different strains, there is also differences in the length of the flagella and how many are present on the cell. C. botulinum is a soil bacterium. The spores can survive in most environments and are very hard to kill. They can survive the temperature of boiling water at sea level, thus many foods are canned with a pressurized boil that achieves even higher temperatures, sufficient to kill
3621-537: The early 1900s, irregular curing was commonplace. This led to further research surrounding the use of sodium nitrite as an additive in food, standardizing the amount present in foods to minimize the amount needed while maximizing its food additive role. Through this research, sodium nitrite has been found to give taste and color to the meat and inhibit lipid oxidation that leads to rancidity, with varying degrees of effectiveness for controlling growth of disease-causing microorganisms . The ability of sodium nitrite to address
SECTION 50
#17327809487623692-420: The genus Bacillus was restricted to aerobic spore-forming rods. Since 1959, all species producing the botulinum neurotoxins (types A–G) have been designated C. botulinum . Substantial phenotypic and genotypic evidence exists to demonstrate heterogeneity within the species , with at least four clearly-defined "groups" (see § Groups ) straddling other species, implying that they each deserve to be
3763-614: The intestines into the bloodstream. Toxins can be further differentiated into subtypes on the bases of smaller variations. However, all types of botulinum toxin are rapidly destroyed by heating to 100 °C for 15 minutes (900 seconds). 80 °C for 30 minutes also destroys BoNT. Most strains produce one type of BoNT, but strains producing multiple toxins have been described. C. botulinum producing B and F toxin types have been isolated from human botulism cases in New Mexico and California . The toxin type has been designated Bf as
3834-530: The laboratory, sodium nitrite can be used to destroy excess sodium azide . Above 330 °C sodium nitrite decomposes (in air) to sodium oxide , nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide . Sodium nitrite can also be used in the production of nitrous acid : The nitrous acid then, under normal conditions, decomposes: The resulting nitrogen dioxide hydrolyzes to a mixture of nitric and nitrous acids: In organic synthesis isotope enriched sodium nitrite-N can be used instead of normal sodium nitrite as their reactivity
3905-402: The lifespan of this color change, significantly higher levels are needed. The mechanism responsible for this color change is the formation of nitrosylating agents by nitrite, which has the ability to transfer nitric oxide that subsequently reacts with myoglobin to produce the cured meat color. The unique taste associated with cured meat is also affected by the addition of sodium nitrite. However,
3976-458: The meat myoglobin to cause color changes, first converting to nitrosomyoglobin (bright red), then, on heating, to nitrosohemochrome (a pink pigment). Historically, salt has been used for the preservation of meat. The salt-preserved meat product was usually brownish-gray in color. When sodium nitrite is added with the salt, the meat develops a red, then pink color, which is associated with cured meats such as ham, bacon, hot dogs, and bologna. In
4047-435: The mechanism underlying this change in taste is still not fully understood. In conjunction with salt and pH levels, sodium nitrite reduces the ability of Clostridium botulinum spores to grow to the point of producing toxin. Some dry-cured meat products are manufactured without nitrites. For example, Parma ham , which has been produced without nitrite since 1993, was reported in 2018 to have caused no cases of botulism. This
4118-583: The risk more. The World Health Organization's review of more than 400 studies concluded, in 2015, that there was sufficient evidence that "processed meats" caused cancer, particularly colon cancer; the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified "processed meats" as carcinogenic to humans ( Group 1 ); "processed meat" meaning meat that has been transformed through salting, curing, fermentation, smoking, or other processes to enhance flavour or improve preservation.). Nitrosamines can be formed during
4189-511: The sale of sodium nitrite since 2019. Some online vendors of sodium nitrite have been prosecuted for assisting suicide. Furthermore, legislation has been introduced in the United States with the aim of deeming sodium nitrite products with a sodium nitrite concentration of greater than 10% by volume to be banned consumer products under the Consumer Product Safety Act . In cases of suspected suicide involving sodium nitrite, it
4260-432: The spores cannot grow in a highly concentrated sugar solution; however, when a sweetener is diluted in the low-oxygen, low-acid digestive system of an infant, the spores can grow and produce toxin. As soon as infants begin eating solid food, the digestive juices become too acidic for the bacterium to grow. The control of food-borne botulism caused by C. botulinum is based almost entirely on thermal destruction (heating) of
4331-463: The spores or inhibiting spore germination into bacteria and allowing cells to grow and produce toxins in foods. Conditions conducive of growth are dependent on various environmental factors . Growth of C. botulinum is a risk in low acid foods as defined by having a pH above 4.6 although growth is significantly retarded for pH below 4.9. C. botulinum was first recognized and isolated in 1895 by Emile van Ermengem from home-cured ham implicated in
SECTION 60
#17327809487624402-500: The spores. This bacteria is widely distributed in nature and can be assumed to be present on all food surfaces. Its optimum growth temperature is within the mesophilic range. In spore form, it is a heat resistant pathogen that can survive in low acid foods and grow to produce toxins. The toxin attacks the nervous system and will kill an adult at a dose of around 75 ng. Botulinum toxin can be destroyed by holding food at 100 °C for 10 minutes; however, because of its potency, this
4473-456: The stationary phase. C. botulinum relies on quorum-sensing to initiate the sporulation process. C. botulinum spores are not found in human feces unless the individual has contracted botulism, but C. botulinum cannot spread from person to person. The most common motility structure for C. botulinum is a flagellum. Though this structure is not found in all strains of C. botulinum , most produce peritrichous flagella. When comparing
4544-458: The toxin gets into your body, but can range from a few hours to several days, depending on the amount of toxin ingested. Symptoms include: Most people who develop wound botulism inject drugs several times a day, so determining a timeline of when onset symptoms first occurred and when the toxin entered the body can be difficult. It is more common in people who inject black tar heroin. Wound botulism signs and symptoms include: If infant botulism
4615-499: The toxin, and quantitative PCR can detect the toxin genes in the organism. A number of quantitative surveys for C. botulinum spores in the environment have suggested a prevalence of specific toxin types in given geographic areas, which remain unexplained. In soil and sediment from the United Kingdom, C. botulinum type B predominates. In general, the incidence is usually lower in soil than in sediment . In Italy,
4686-433: The toxin. Botulinum toxin can cause botulism , a severe flaccid paralytic disease in humans and other animals, and is the most potent toxin known to science, natural or synthetic, with a lethal dose of 1.3–2.1 ng/kg in humans. C. botulinum is commonly associated with bulging canned food; bulging, misshapen cans can be due to an internal increase in pressure caused by gas produced by bacteria. C. botulinum
4757-512: The triggering of migraines in individuals who already experience them. One study has found a correlation between highly frequent ingestion of meats cured with pink salt and the COPD form of lung disease . The study's researchers suggest that the high amount of nitrites in the meats was responsible; however, the team did not prove the nitrite theory. Additionally, the study does not prove that nitrites or cured meat caused higher rates of COPD, merely
4828-436: The type B toxin was found in excess to the type F. Similarly, strains producing Ab and Af toxins have been reported. Evidence indicates the neurotoxin genes have been the subject of horizontal gene transfer , possibly from a viral ( bacteriophage ) source. This theory is supported by the presence of integration sites flanking the toxin in some strains of C. botulinum . However, these integrations sites are degraded (except for
4899-747: The use of NaNO 2 as a CN antidote. In those who have both cyanide poisoning and carbon monoxide poisoning sodium thiosulfate by itself is usually recommended if the facility does not have sufficient hydroxycobalamin It is given by slow injection into a vein . NaNO 2 side effects are chiefly related to creation of methemoglobinemia and vasodilation. Side effects can include low blood pressure , headache , shortness of breath , loss of consciousness , and vomiting. Greater care should be taken in people with underlying heart disease. The patient's levels of methemoglobin should be regularly checked during treatment. While not well studied during pregnancy, there
4970-516: Was also the focal-point of the McCarthy et al. v Amazon lawsuit alleging that Amazon knowingly assisted in the deaths of healthy children by selling them "suicide kits" as Amazon's " frequently bought together " feature recommended buying sodium nitrite, an antiemetic , and a suicide instruction book together. This lawsuit was dismissed in June 2023. The online marketplace eBay has globally prohibited
5041-523: Was discontinued in 2011 due to declining potency in the toxoid stock. It was originally intended for people at risk of exposure. A few new vaccines are under development. C. botulinum is used to prepare the medicaments Botox , Dysport , Xeomin , and Neurobloc used to selectively paralyze muscles to temporarily relieve muscle function. It has other " off-label " medical purposes, such as treating severe facial pain, such as that caused by trigeminal neuralgia . Botulinum toxin produced by C. botulinum
#761238