| A bacterium that occurs widely in nature and is a | | | | · foodborne botulism |
| cause of botulism; it has six main types, A to F. | | | | · infant botulism |
| Botulism is a rare but potentially very serious | | | | · wound botulism |
| illness. The bacterium may be entered the body | | | | Diagnosis |
| through wounds. | | | | Physicians may consider the diagnosis if the |
| A severe, manytimes fatal food poisoning caused | | | | patient's history and physical examination suggest |
| by ingestion of food containing botulin. It may be | | | | botulism. However, these clues are often not |
| characterized by nausea, vomiting, disturbed | | | | enough to allow a diagnosis of botulism. Other |
| vision, muscular weakness, and fatigue. | | | | diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, |
| How is Botulism Transmitted? | | | | stroke, and myasthenia gravis can appear similar |
| Cases of foodborne botulism often come from | | | | to botulism, and special tests may be needed to |
| home-canned foods with low acid content, such | | | | exclude these other conditions. These tests may |
| as asparagus, green beans, beets, and corn. | | | | include a brain scan, cerebrospinal fluid |
| Clostridium botulinum bacteria is anaerobic, which | | | | examination, nerve conduction test |
| means it can survive and grow with little or no | | | | (electromyography, or EMG), and an Edrophonium |
| oxygen. Therefore, it can survive very well in | | | | Chloride (Tensilon) test for myasthenia gravis. |
| sealed containers. Outbreaks of the botulism are | | | | Prevention |
| often from more unusual sources such as chili | | | | Like many germs, the bacteria that cause |
| peppers, tomatoes, and improperly handled baked | | | | botulism in infants are everywhere in the |
| potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil. | | | | environment. They're in dust and dirt. They're |
| Causes | | | | even in the air. Experts don't know why some |
| Clostridium botulinum is a spore-forming organism | | | | infants end up consuming the airborne bacteria |
| that is common in nature. The spores may be | | | | and contracting botulism while others don't. |
| found in soil and certain foods (such as honey and | | | | Treatment |
| some corn syrups). Infant botulism occurs mostly | | | | The symptoms of botulism make hospitalization |
| in young infants between 6 weeks and 6 months | | | | necessary. If diagnosed early, botulism can be |
| of age. It has been reported to occur as early as | | | | treated with an antitoxin, which blocks the action |
| 6 days and as late as 1 year. Risk factors include | | | | of the toxin circulating in the blood. This can |
| swallowing honey as a baby, being around | | | | prevent patients from worsening, but recovery |
| contaminated soil, and having less than one stool | | | | still takes many weeks. If left untreated, a patient |
| per day for a period greater than 2 months. | | | | may need to be on a breathing machine |
| Symptoms of Botulism | | | | (ventilator) for weeks and would require intensive |
| According to the CDC, initial symptoms of | | | | medical and nursing care. Infant botulism is treated |
| Botulism include: | | | | with immune globulin, which is similar to the |
| Double vision, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, | | | | antitoxin. Most cases of botulism recover with |
| and muscle weakness. In the food-borne version, | | | | appropriate medical care. The goal of botulism |
| symptoms usually appear within a day or two of | | | | treatment is to establish a clear airway, aid |
| consuming the contaminated food. | | | | breathing, give botulinus anti-toxin, and provide |
| There are three main types of botulism: | | | | supportive therapy. |