<P> Infant botulism has no long - term side effects, but can be complicated by hospital - acquired infections . </P> <P> Botulism can result in death due to respiratory failure . However, in the past 50 years, the proportion of patients with botulism who die has fallen from about 50% to 7% due to improved supportive care . A patient with severe botulism may require mechanical ventilation (breathing support through a ventilator) as well as intensive medical and nursing care, sometimes for several months . The person may require rehabilitation therapy after leaving the hospital . </P> <P> Clostridium botulinum is an anaerobic, Gram positive, spore - forming rod . Botulinum toxin is one of the most powerful known toxins: about one microgram is lethal to humans when inhaled . It acts by blocking nerve function (neuromuscular blockade) through inhibition of the excitatory neurotransmitter acetylcholine's release from the presynaptic membrane of neuromuscular junctions in the somatic nervous system . This causes paralysis . Advanced botulism can cause respiratory failure by paralysing the muscles of the chest; this can progress to respiratory arrest . Furthermore, acetylcholine release from the presynaptic membranes of muscarinic nerve synapses is blocked . This can lead to a variety of autonomic signs and symptoms described above . </P> <P> In all cases, illness is caused by the botulinum toxin produced by the bacterium C. botulinum in anaerobic conditions and not by the bacterium itself . The pattern of damage occurs because the toxin affects nerves that fire (depolarize) at a higher frequency first . </P>

What happens in the presence of botulinum toxin
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