Question

A person becomes ill after ingesting food containing botulinum toxin. This is an example of:

A. Intoxication

B. Toxemia

C. Endemic

D. Infection

Answer 1

(B) Toxemia

Ingestion of food with formed bacterial toxins is known as food poisoning(food botulism). Since, in order to cause disease no bacterial growth is required as toxins are already present symptoms occur rapidly in case of food poisoning.

C. botulinum mainly produces 8 types of toxins from A to G ( eg. Botulinum toxin A,B,C1,C2 etc.). Botulinum toxin inhibits release of neurotransmitter acetylcholine which results in partial paralysis.

• Intoxication is defined as the loss of mental and physical control as a result of consumption of alcohol or drugs symptoms of which include a strong excitement or depression for a short period of time.
• When a local bacteria releases toxins (disease causing poisonous substance) which causes poisoning of blood, this condition is defined by the term toxemia.
• An endemic is an infection which persists at basal level in a specific geographical area excluding any external inputs. For eg. Chicken pox is prevalent in US, therefore in chickenpox is endemic to US.
• When a pathogen enters the body of an individual causing disease, condition is termed as infection. The pathogen can be a fungi, bacteria, virus or parasites. For eg. Tuberculosis, Covid