title: [Shiga toxin and tetanus toxin as a potential biologic weapon].
abstract: Toxins produced by the bacteria are of particular interest as potential cargo combat possible for use in a terrorist attack or war. Shiga toxin is usually produced by shiga toxigenic strains of Escherichia coli (STEC - shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli). To infection occurs mostly after eating contaminated beef. Clinical syndromes associated with Shiga toxin diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS - hemolytic uremic syndrome) or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Treatment is symptomatic. In HUS, in which mortality during an epidemic reaches 20%, extending the kidney injury dialysis may be necessary. Exposure to tetanus toxin produced by Clostridium tetani, resulting in the most generalized tetanus, characterized by increased muscle tension and painful contractions of individual muscle groups. In the treatment beyond symptomatic behavior (among others spasticity medications, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants) is used tetanus antitoxin and antibiotics (metronidazole choice). A common complication is acute respiratory failure - then it is necessary to implement mechanical ventilation.
authors.affiliation: Military Institute of Medicine in Warsawa, Poland, Department of Internal Diseases, Pneumonology and Allergology, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of National Defense.
authors.forename: Izabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Toczyska
authors.affiliation: Military Institute of Medicine in Warsawa, Poland, Department of Internal Diseases, Pneumonology and Allergology, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of National Defense.
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Płusa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054045:Biological Warfare Agents; D023482:Bioterrorism; D003017:Clostridium tetani; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D004926:Escherichia coli; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D005506:Food Contamination; D006463:Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D011697:Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D022621:Shiga Toxin / Q000633:toxicity*; D013742:Tetanus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013744:Tetanus Toxin / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D054045:Biological Warfare Agents; D013744:Tetanus Toxin; D022621:Shiga Toxin
keywords: shiga toxin; tetanus toxin