Toxins are produced by bacteria, plants and animals for defense or for predation. Most of the toxins specifically affect the mammalian nervous system by interfering with the transmission of nerve impulses, and such toxins have the potential for misuse by the military or terrorist organizations. This review discusses the origin, structure, toxicity and symptoms, transmission, mechanism(s) of action, symptomatic treatment of the most important toxins and venoms derived from fungi, plants, marine animals, and microorganisms, along with their potential for use in bioweapons and/or biocrime. Fungal trichothecenes and aflatoxins are potent inhibitors of protein synthesis in most eukaryotes and have been used as biological warfare agents. Ricin and abrin are plant-derived toxins that prevent the elongation of polypeptide chains. Saxitoxin, anatoxin, and tetrodotoxin are marine-derived toxins that bind to sodium channels in nerve and muscle tissue and cause muscle paralysis. Most bacterial toxins, such as botulinum and Shiga affect either the nervous system (neurotoxins) or damage cell membranes. Batrachotoxins, which are secreted by poison-dart frogs are extremely potent cardiotoxic and neurotoxic steroidal alkaloids. The aim of this review is to provide basic information to enable further understanding of these toxins and their potential military uses.
- MeSH
- Abrin chemistry poisoning adverse effects MeSH
- Aflatoxins chemistry poisoning adverse effects MeSH
- Bacterial Toxins poisoning MeSH
- Batrachotoxins chemistry poisoning adverse effects MeSH
- Biological Warfare Agents * MeSH
- Toxins, Biological * poisoning adverse effects MeSH
- Botulinum Toxins chemistry poisoning adverse effects MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Marine Toxins poisoning MeSH
- Mycotoxins poisoning adverse effects MeSH
- Poisoning * prevention & control therapy MeSH
- Ricin chemistry poisoning adverse effects MeSH
- Saxitoxin chemistry poisoning adverse effects MeSH
- Shiga Toxins chemistry poisoning adverse effects MeSH
- T-2 Toxin chemistry poisoning adverse effects MeSH
- Tetrodotoxin chemistry poisoning adverse effects MeSH
- Toxoids poisoning adverse effects MeSH
- Venoms poisoning adverse effects MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Review MeSH
- MeSH
- Abrin MeSH
- Antigens, CD20 administration & dosage MeSH
- Immunoconjugates therapeutic use MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Antibodies, Monoclonal administration & dosage MeSH
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid drug therapy MeSH
- Severity of Illness Index MeSH
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha antagonists & inhibitors administration & dosage contraindications MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- MeSH
- Abrin chemistry poisoning toxicity MeSH
- Bacterial Toxins poisoning toxicity MeSH
- Toxins, Biological classification adverse effects MeSH
- Bioterrorism MeSH
- Lamiaceae chemistry poisoning toxicity MeSH
- Conotoxins poisoning toxicity MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Ricin chemistry poisoning toxicity MeSH
- Mistletoe chemistry poisoning toxicity MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
