Final answer:
The toxin causing neurological symptoms is botulinum toxin, produced by Clostridium botulinum and responsible for botulism, leading to symptoms like muscle paralysis and respiratory failure. Tetanus toxin, from Clostridium tetani, causes spastic paralysis by blocking neurotransmitters like glycine and GABA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Toxin that Causes Neurological Illness
The toxin in question, which causes neurological symptoms like the reversal of hot and cold sensations, as well as the wide range of severe symptoms including muscle paralysis, is most likely botulinum toxin. This neurotoxic protein is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The toxin prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, leading to flaccid paralysis. The disease it causes is known as botulism. Botulism manifests initially with symptoms such as blurred vision and difficulty swallowing; if untreated, it can lead to progressive paralysis and possibly death due to respiratory failure.
Another neurotoxin that causes neurological symptoms is tetanus toxin, produced by Clostridium tetani. Unlike botulinum toxin, it binds to inhibitory interneurons, blocking inhibitory neurotransmitters like glycine and GABA, and causing a state of permanent muscle contraction known as spastic paralysis.
Both botulinum and tetanus toxins have devastating effects on the nervous system, but they differ in their mechanisms and the type of paralysis they cause. Immediate medical attention with antitoxins and proper supportive care is critical for individuals exposed to these toxins.