[Botulism toxin, bioterrorist weapon].
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.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière 47-83 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris. philippe.bossi@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr
Philippe
P
Bossi
François
F
Bricaire
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000336:Aerosols; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001694:Biological Warfare; D001904:Botulinum Antitoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D001906:Botulism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D023481:Terrorism
D000336:Aerosols; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D001904:Botulinum Antitoxin; D001905:Botulinum Toxins