What disease is caused by the toxin of Clostridium botulinum?

The disease caused by toxin from Clostridium botulinum is botulism. Its main effect is flaccid paralysis, because botulinum neurotoxin blocks the release of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions.

C. botulinum is an anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium found widely in soil and aquatic environments. Under low-oxygen conditions, it can produce botulinum toxin. Foodborne botulism occurs when a person eats toxin already formed in contaminated food. Infant botulism occurs when spores grow in an infant’s intestine, while wound botulism develops when spores contaminate an oxygen-poor wound.

Early symptoms can include weakness, blurred or double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking, and trouble swallowing. Paralysis may spread to the respiratory muscles, making botulism a medical emergency. Consciousness is usually preserved, and fever is not a typical feature.

Botulism is distinct from tetanus, although both involve bacterial neurotoxins and muscle control. Tetanus usually causes rigid, sustained muscle spasms, whereas botulinum toxin causes weakness and limp paralysis. Botulinum toxin is also used medically in carefully controlled doses, including treatments known by the brand name Botox.