title: The mechanism of botulism.
abstract: Botulism is induced by botulinum toxin and the mechanism of the disease is unknown. In another study, a fatal autoimmune disease was produced in animals by immunization with a fraction of choline acetyltransferase. When these two syndromes are compared, numerous similarities are observed. It is postulated that botulism toxin acts as an initiator for the autoimmune disease by catalyzing in vivo the formation of the pathogenic fraction of choline acetyltransferase.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D001906:Botulism / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology / Q000633:toxicity; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D019791:Guanidine; D006146:Guanidines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects; D012133:Respiratory Paralysis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D006146:Guanidines; D002795:Choline O-Acetyltransferase; D001905:Botulinum Toxins; D019791:Guanidine