Cases of botulism after botox treatment highlight need for care when approaching cosmetic surgery.

  Botox is a commonly used treatment for wrinkles - it smoothes out the skin through its ability to cause muscle paralysis and is, in fact, a bacterial toxin. There are two forms licensed for human cosmetic use - toxin A (Botox) and toxin B (Myobloc). But botulinum toxin can also be deadly when used in the wrong dose; it may cause botulism, a rare condition characterized by a paralysis which can lead to respiratory failure.

 In 2004, four cases of botulism in patients undergoing treatment with toxin A were reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Their investigation shows that they were treated with an unlicensed preparation of toxin A. Their blood levels, before treatment with antitoxin, were 40 times the lethal human dose of the toxin. There have been no cases of botulism linked to the licensed preparation of Botox so, if you are planning to be treated at a reputable clinic, there is no need to panic. But be sure you do check out the operator and his or her supplies carefully.

 Source
Journal of the American Medical Association November 22/29 2006 Volume 296 pages 2476-2479