In a shocking incident 2 years ago, four persons had to be hospitalized following cosmetic injections. They received injections in the face with an cosmetic product that was unlicensed. The injection contained botulism toxin A, which was 40 times greater than the lethal dose for humans, reported by The Journal of the American Medical Association. The weakened form of the same toxin, botox, is used to smoothen out facial wrinkles by cosmetologists.
Four persons including a doctor had to be rushed for medical help in 2004, November to flush out the excess toxin. Timely intervention with the anti toxin saved their lives. They suffered from botulism, which caused paralysis because of the effect of the toxins of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum .Unless treated early the toxin can cause paralysis of airways endangering life as well.The lethal dose is not clearly known, but scientists point to studies done on primates .Those studies suggests that 40 micrograms per kilogram of body weight could be lethal. An investigation that stretched for almost two years , by U.S. Centers for Disease Control has determined that the ill effects of those injections were lethally severe as well as long-lasting .
The patients were administered botulism toxin A that was meant for research purposes only.The doctor who administered the lethal shots pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years of imprisonment.
These four cases were reported by The Journal of the American Medical Association. The lead author of the report Daniel Chertow warns physicians and clients of the potential hazards .Those, who use this toxin in its weakened forms, for cosmetic purposes, should to be aware of risks involved in its use. Illegitimate and unlicensed toxin products should be avoided in clinical practice the researchers warned.
Source-Medindia
MST
