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botulinum toxin |
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Botulinum toxin (botulin) A neurotoxin made by Clostridium botulinum; causes paralysis in high doses, but is used medically in small, localized doses to treat disorders associated with involuntary muscle contraction and spasms, in addition to strabismus.
botulinum toxin [boch′əlī′nəm] Etymology: L, botulus, sausage; Gk, toxikon, poison any of a group of potent bacterial toxins produced by different strains of Clostridium botulinum. It may be used therapeutically for blepharospasm or cosmetically to relax facial wrinkles. The strains are sometimes identified by letters of the alphabet, such as A, B, or C. Also called Botox, botulinus toxin. botulinum toxin a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum; causes botulism. Eight antigenically distinct types are recognized: A, B, C, C2, D, E, F and G.
botulinum toxin A poisonous substance which paralyses muscles and leads to inhibition of the release of acetylcholine from presynaptic neuromuscular terminals. The effect can last for weeks after being injected into a muscle. It is used as an alternative or addition to extraocular muscle surgery in the management of strabismus. It is also sometimes used in the management of blepharospasm. Example: In esotropia, the medial rectus muscle is injected to paralyse its action. See chemodenervation. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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Specifically, this reference discusses in detail the bacterial agents that cause anthrax, glanders, plague, tularemia, and Q fever; the viral agents that result in Venezuelan and Eastern and Western encephalitis, poxviruses and hemorrhagic fever viruses; and finally, toxin- and superantigen-induced diseases caused by botulinum toxins, ricin, and staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria. Botulinum toxins are naturally occurring substances which affect the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction of striated muscles. Local treatment with botulinum toxins can be used as adjunctive therapy, along with oral anti-spasticity medications, or alone to provide localized decrease in symptoms of spasticity and pain. |
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