Exposure to biotoxins occurs through ingestion, dermal absorbtion,
or as an aerosol. Militarily or as a weapon of terror, aerosol forms
of biotoxins pose the greatest risk not only in terms of numbers
of people exposed, but the rapidity of symptom onset. With some
of the biotoxins, inhalational effects are understood only from
animal studies, leaving many open questions about how an inhalational
exposure might present. Not all biotoxins are likely candidates
for use as weapons of mass destruction or terrorist weapons. Due
to their biological and physiochemical properties, Army biowarfare
experts consider botulinum toxin and Staphylococcal Enterotoxin
B (SEB) to be of most concern from the point of view of battlefield
exposures. SEB, a so-called superantigen, causes hyperactivation
of the immune system and prompt incapacitation (see Chapter 19).
As a Category A agent, botulinum is discussed in its own chapter
(Chapter 18).