Botulism causes symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and paralysis of the body. Eating vacuum-packed foods that have not undergone a sterilization protocol is a risk factor for contracting the disease.
Do you know how to identify a food capable of transmitting botulism? Do you know the bacteria that causes the disease? This microorganism can appear in any type of food, whether of animal or plant origin, but it needs a lack of oxygen for its growth and proliferation.
Symptoms such as double vision, nausea, vomiting or weakness accompanied by generalized paralysis are indications of an infection caused by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum . Canned foods are responsible for almost all outbreaks, and in this article we explain why.
About the botulism bacteria: Clostridium botulinum
The Clostridium botulinum is a microorganism that is cataloged among the obligate anaerobes, because in addition to not need oxygen to perform its metabolic processes, its existence kills. This means that they are forced to live with low concentrations of gas.
The Clostridium botulinum is a rod-shaped, and another feature that distinguishes many bacteria is its ability to generate spores. This form of sustenance allows it to remain dormant for long periods of time and to become active when the environment is favorable for its growth and proliferation.
The microorganism has varying resistance to oxygen. However, several studies support and agree that it never develops in atmospheres containing more than 10% of this gas.
What makes it dangerous?
Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin produced by this microorganism, which acts on the myoneural layer of the human body. Thus, it prevents the correct trajectory of the nerve impulse. Its mechanism of action can be understood in three different phases:
The toxin’s hydrogen chain binds to receptors on the neuron’s presynaptic membrane. This means that it concentrates its action on the human nervous system.
The toxin enters the neuron through an active mechanism similar to that of endocytosis. The neuronal cell admits entry by absorbing the molecule.
Inside the neuron, the toxin interferes with the release of acetylcholine. Because it is insufficient, the nerve-muscle junction does not do its job of signaling the contraction of fibers when needed or when a command is sent from the brain.
In conclusion, botulinum toxin, by preventing acetylcholine from leaving the neuron, makes it impossible to excite the muscles. The end result will be a lack of tone and contraction.
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