Botulism is a rare but serious disease caused by toxins from a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum (Botulism, 2012). Botulinum neurotoxins, or BoNT for short, are among the most extreme and dangerous substances known to the human population. There are 3 forms of botulism: infant botulism, food-borne botulism and wound botulism (Botulism, 2012). This specific genus of Clostridium causes “flaccid muscle paralysis by blocking the release of acetylcholine at nerve muscle junctions through a specific and exclusive endopeptidase activity against SNARE proteins of the presynaptic exocytosis machinery” (Kukreja & Singh, 2005 ). BoNTs are composed of seven different serotypes that vary in AG. Each of these serotypes is produced by different strains of the same bacteria, Clostridium. BoNTs are not only responsible for all three types of botulism, but they can also cause other neurological disorders. BoNts are not only used for medical purposes, but are also becoming very popular in the cosmetic industry. However, with the increasing number of users of these toxins, a threat also arises as the demand to treat acute illnesses increases. For example, as Ramachandran states, “Botulinum toxins (BoNT) delivered to extracranial dermatomes are effective and approved to treat chronic migraine pain” (Ramachandran, 2014). Although there are various forms of botulism, infant botulism is the most common. Infant botulism generally occurs between 2 and 6 months of age (Bauman & Masuoka, 2009). The Clostridium bacteria attacks the infant's intestinal tract and the bacteria produces spores, so it is these spores that cause constipation in the infant. Sometimes infants can also experience...... middle of paper ......m. (July 19, 2012). Definition. Retrieved May 18, 2014 from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/botulism/basics/definition/con-20025875 Bauman, RW and Masuoka, E. (2009). Microbiology: with diseases by body system (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings. Kukreja, R. and Singh, B. (September 22, 2005). Results filters. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Accessed April 15, 2014, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16179354 Ramchandran, R. (May 12, 2014). Therapeutic use of botulinum toxin in migraine: mechanisms of action. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Accessed May 14, 2014, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24819339Y, M. (April 5, 2014). Foodborne botulism in Japan in March 2012. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Accessed April 18, 2014 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24709046