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Forensic Toxicology
Published in: Forensic Toxicology 2/2014

01-08-2014 | Original Article

Comparison of immunostrips with mouse bioassay and bacterial culture in detecting botulinum toxins in bottles from suspected Taiwan high-speed rail bomber

Authors: Chia-Tsui Yeh, Chung-Chih Liang, Chuen-Mi Yang, Jiunn-Jye Wey, Pei-Yi Tsui, Hsueh-Ling Wu, Cheng-Ping Yu, Rong-Hwa Shyu

Published in: Forensic Toxicology | Issue 2/2014

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Abstract

In April 2013, a bomb-threat incident occurred on the Taiwan high-speed railway. Two suspects claimed to have placed explosive devices on a high-speed train and outside a lawmaker’s office. Afterward, the Criminal Investigation Bureau also found several bottles in the main suspect’s apartment labeled “botulinum toxin.” The Institute of Preventive Medicine was entrusted by the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Ministry of Justice, to verify whether the bottles contained botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). Three different analyses, including rapid detection strips, toxin neutralization tests, and bacterial culture, were processed. The results provided conclusive evidence that botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) was present in the samples. This study demonstrated that the BoNT/A strip assay is an excellent method for BoNT/A detection, and has potential use as an early warning tool in screening of food products for botulinum toxins.
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Metadata
Title
Comparison of immunostrips with mouse bioassay and bacterial culture in detecting botulinum toxins in bottles from suspected Taiwan high-speed rail bomber
Authors
Chia-Tsui Yeh
Chung-Chih Liang
Chuen-Mi Yang
Jiunn-Jye Wey
Pei-Yi Tsui
Hsueh-Ling Wu
Cheng-Ping Yu
Rong-Hwa Shyu
Publication date
01-08-2014
Publisher
Springer Japan
Published in
Forensic Toxicology / Issue 2/2014
Print ISSN: 1860-8965
Electronic ISSN: 1860-8973
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-014-0235-8

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