Title: Perspectives on mucosal vaccine against botulism

Authors: Easwaran Ravichandran; Bal Ram Singh

Addresses: Botulinum Research Center, Institute of Advanced Sciences, 78 Faunce Corner Mall Road, Suite 540, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA ' Botulinum Research Center, Institute of Advanced Sciences, 78 Faunce Corner Mall Road, Suite 540, Dartmouth, MA 02747, USA

Abstract: Clostridium botulinum toxin is one of the potent and classic molecules known to this modern scientific research field. It has dualistic characters: on one hand it causes botulism by blocking release of acetylcholine at the cholinergic nerve endings and on the other hand the same toxin molecule when administered locally at sub-lethal dose relieves various neuromuscular disorders. If the toxin is used intentionally as an act of terrorism, FDA approved therapeutic agents would be needed to recover from the illness. In addition, to prevent from such situations in the future and to protect public from botulism, there is a strong need for a mucosal vaccine. Creating a multivalent mucosal vaccine delivery system would ease the burden at the time of delivery and reduce the cost.

Keywords: Clostridium botulinum; drug delivery; neurotoxins; toxicity; vaccines; mucosal vaccine; botulism.

DOI: 10.1504/TBJ.2015.078133

The Botulinum Journal, 2015 Vol.3 No.1, pp.18 - 33

Published online: 04 Aug 2016 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article