ADSORPTION OF BOTULINUM TOXIN TO ACTIVATED-CHARCOAL WITH A MOUSE BIOASSAY

Study objective: We evaluated the effectiveness of activated charcoal (AC) in adsorbing Clostridium botulinum type A toxin using a mouse bio assay. Design: Prospective, blinded, randomized, controlled animal stu dy. Setting: Animal care facility. Participants: One hundred forty Swi ss/Webster ND-4 strain mice. Intervention: Food contaminated with type A botulinum toxin was homogenized in a phosphate/gel buffer (pH 6.2). The concentrate was diluted by factors of 1:10, 1:50, and 1:100. AC w as added to aliquots of the dilutions to a 20% final concentration. Th e samples were centrifuged, supernatant was removed, and separate grou ps of mice were injected intraperitoneally with .5 ml of each dilution (those treated with AC and controls untreated with AC). The animals w ere then observed over 5 days for signs of botulism. Results: None of the 60 animals injected intraperitoneally with dilutions treated with AC was observed to have any signs of botulism. In contrast, deaths wer e observed in 10 of 20, 9 of 20 and 4 of 20 mice injected with untreat ed dilutions of 1:100, 1:50, and 1:10, respectively (P<.004). Conclusi on: In this model, treatment of botulinum toxin with AC before adminis tration resulted in greatly reduced morbidity and mortality.