Botulinum toxin

Botulinum toxin, one of the most poisonous biological substances known, is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. C. botulinum elaborates eight antigenically distinguishable exotoxins (A, B, C(1), C(2), D, E, F and G). All serotypes interfere with neural transmission by blocki...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Indian journal of dermatology 2010, Vol.55 (1), p.8-14
Main Authors: Nigam, P K, Nigam, Anjana
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adverse effects
Bacteria
Botulinum toxin
Care and treatment
clinical applications
Clostridium botulinum
CME
Dermatology
Paralysis, Facial
Strabismus
Toxins
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Botulinum toxin, one of the most poisonous biological substances known, is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. C. botulinum elaborates eight antigenically distinguishable exotoxins (A, B, C(1), C(2), D, E, F and G). All serotypes interfere with neural transmission by blocking the release of acetylcholine, the principal neurotransmitter at the neuromuscular junction, causing muscle paralysis. The weakness induced by injection with botulinum toxin A usually lasts about three months. Botulinum toxins now play a very significant role in the management of a wide variety of medical conditions, especially strabismus and focal dystonias, hemifacial spasm, and various spastic movement disorders, headaches, hypersalivation, hyperhidrosis, and some chronic conditions that respond only partially to medical treatment. The list of possible new indications is rapidly expanding. The cosmetological applications include correction of lines, creases and wrinkling all over the face, chin, neck, and chest to dermatological applications such as hyperhidrosis. Injections with botulinum toxin are generally well tolerated and side effects are few. A precise knowledge and understanding of the functional anatomy of the mimetic muscles is absolutely necessary to correctly use botulinum toxins in clinical practice.
ISSN:0019-5154
1998-3611
DOI:10.4103/0019-5154.60343