Botulism

Overview

Botulism is caused by the neurotoxins of Clostridium botulinum, which are extremely potent and cause disease after ingestion of even picogram amounts. Spores produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum are heat-resistant and exist widely in the environment, and in the absence of oxygen they germinate, grow and then excrete toxins. It is classically described as the acute onset of bilateral cranial neuropathies associated with symmetric descending weakness.

Signs and Symptoms

Absence of fever, Flaccid paralysis, Blurred or double vision, Drooping eyelids, Trouble breathing, Nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps, Slow heart rate and normal blood pressure

Common Causes

Food borne: home-canned foods, Wound: possibly caused by an injury that has not been noticed, Infant botulism: ingestion of contaminated honey/soil

Risk Factors

People who injects certain drugs like black tar heroin, put themselves at greater risk of getting wound botulism, Consumption of certain kind of alcohol, ‘pruno' or ‘hooch' normally by prisoners, Consumption of canned food, People who are getting botox treatment

Investigation Techniques

Full blood count, Blood or stool culture, Spinal fluid analysis, Nerve conduction test and electromyography

Treatment and Prevention

Polyvalent antitoxin which neutralizes the toxins, Antibiotics can be given in wound botulism to prevent secondary infection, Breathing assistance are given such mechanical ventilators as long as several weeks as the effects of the toxin gradually lessen, Rehabilitation: therapy to improve speech, swallowing and other functions affected by the disease.