Prevention and Treatment of Botulism

Concerns regarding botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) as biowarfare and bioterrorist agents have generated interest in developing medical countermeasures for protection against the neurotoxins. Efforts have focused on improvements in the available vaccines and antisera and de novo discovery of pharmacological inhibitors of toxin action. This chapter reviews the various approaches taken to develop next-generation vaccines, antitoxins and pharmacological treatments against intoxication by the BoNTs. The historical progression, current status and future trends are described.