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

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.