Botulism is a potentially lethal disease caused by one of seven homologous 
neurotoxic proteins usually produced by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. 
This neuromuscular disorder occurs through an exquisite series of molecular 
events, ultimately ending with the arrest of acetylcholine release and hence, 
flaccid paralysis. There are three types of botulism: food, wound, and infant 
botulism. Most strains of the bacterium produce a potent, respiratory 
muscle-paralyzing neurotoxin, botulinum toxin (BTX). It can lead to death unless 
appropriate therapy is promptly initiated. Due to the severity and potency of 
BTX, its importance as a biological weapon is of major concern to public health 
officials. Nevertheless, BTX is also medicament.