Question

Compare and contrast the Tetanus vs the Botulinum toxins. Which pathways to do they disrupt? What abnormalities do they cause? Can death occur? Why? What would be the organ systems that would be most affected?

Answer 1

Question

Both the Botulinum and Tetanus toxin affect the nervous system of humans. But the mechanism of action of these toxins are different. Tetanus neurotoxins bind to the presynaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction, which lead to spastic paralysis due to blockage of relesase of neurotransmitter. On the other hand, botulinum toxin inhibits the nerve signals to reach to the muscles and therefore lead to the paralysis. Botulinum toxin inhibit the release of neurotransmitter from the synaptic vesicles of the neuron. Both the toxin could lead to the death in severe condition because both toxin could interfere with or stop breathing and failure of respiratory system lead to the death due to lack of oxygen and sometimes also death is due to cardiac arrest. The muscular, nervous and respiratory system are most affrcted from both these toxin.