DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS

File: 123096_sep96_decls1_0038.txt
Page: 0038
Total Pages: 109

Subject: DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS       

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box  ID: BX003203

Folder Title: DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS                                       

Document Number:          1

Folder Seq  #:         21




                                                  UNCLASSIFIED
                                                 E;I;r=RE4

                                                     BOTULISM


                      A. CLINICAL SYNDROMIE


                      Botulism is caused by intoxication with the neurotoxin produced by Clostridium

               botulinum. The toxin is a pmtein with mol@ weight of approximately 150,000, which

               binds to the presynaptic membrane of neurons at peripheral cholinergic synapses to prevent

               release of acetylcholine and block neurotransmission. The blockade is most evident clinically

               in the cholinergic autonomic nervous system and at the neuromuscular junction.

                      A biological warfare attack with botulinum toxin delivered by aerosol to the

               respiratory tract would be expected to cause symptoms similar in most respects to those


               observed with foodbome botulism.


                      Clinical Features:


                      Symptoms of botulism may begin as early as 3-36 hours following exposure, or as

               late as several days. Wtial symptoms include gene     wealmess, lassitude, and dizziness.

               Diminished salivation with extreme dryness of the mouth and @t may cause complaints of

               a sore ffimt. Uzinary retention or ileus may also occur. Motor symptoms usually are

               present early in disease; c@ nerves are affected first with blurred vision, diplopia, ptosis,

               and photophobia. Bulbar nerve dysfunction causes dy@a, dysphonia, and dysphagia.




                                                         13
                                                UNCLASSIFIED                            OA@
                                                      @ -- I'@,

Document 109 f:/Week-36/BX003203/DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS/detection of medical defense against biological :1217960927452
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003203
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
Folder Seq # = 21
Subject = DETECTION OF MEDICAL DEFENSE AGAINST BIOLOGICAL
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 17-DEC-1996