[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: Izabela Toczyska, Tadeusz Płusa
• Journal: Polski merkuriusz lekarski : organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego (Pol Merkur Lekarski) Vol. 39 Issue 231 Pg. 157-61 (Sep 2015) ISSN: 1426-9686 [Print] Poland
• Vernacular Title: Toksyna Shiga oraz toksyna tężcowa jako potencjalna broń.
• PMID: 26449578 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: © 2015 MEDPRESS.

Chemical References

• Biological Warfare Agents
• Tetanus Toxin
• Shiga Toxin

Topics

• Animals
• Biological Warfare Agents
• Bioterrorism
• Clostridium tetani
• Diarrhea (chemically induced, microbiology, therapy)
• Escherichia coli
• Fluid Therapy
• Food Contamination
• Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome (chemically induced, diagnosis, therapy)
• Humans
• Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic (chemically induced, diagnosis, therapy)
• Shiga Toxin (toxicity)
• Tetanus (chemically induced, diagnosis, therapy)
• Tetanus Toxin (toxicity)