Botulism - Symptoms & Treatment

Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. There are three main kinds of botulism.First is FoodborneSecond is Wound botulism and Infant botulism is caused by consuming the spores of the botulinum bacteria, which then grow in the intestines and release toxin. All forms of botulism can be fatal and are considered medical emergencies. Foodborne botulism can be especially dangerous because many people can be poisoned by eating a contaminated food. In the United States an average of 110 cases of botulism are reported each year. Of these, approximately 25% are foodborne, 72% are infant botulism.Classic symptoms of botulism include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness. Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, are constipated, and have a weak cry and poor muscle tone. Physicians may try to remove contaminated food still in the gut by inducing vomiting or by using enemas. Wounds should be treated, usually surgically, to remove the source of the toxin-producing bacteria

Causes of Botulism

Common causes of Botulism

• Toxin.
• Botulin.
• Bacterium (Clostridium botulinum).

Symptoms of Botulism

Common Symptoms of Botulism

• Difficulty swallowing.
• Difficulty speaking.
• Droopy eyelids.
• Double or blurred vision.
• Trouble breathing.
• Slurred speech.
• Dry mouth.
• Muscle weakness.

Treatment of Botulism

Common Treatment of Botulism

• Foodborne and wound botulism can be treated by inducing passive immunity with a horse-derived antitoxin , which blocks the action of toxin circulating in the blood.
• Enemas and cathartics or whole-bowel irrigation may be used (if no ileus is present) to purge the gut of toxin. If ingestion occurred within the past few hours, emetics or gastric lavage may aid in the removal of toxin.
• Wound botulism requires thorough debridement of the wound site, even if it appears to be healing well.
• Follow this by injection of 3% hydrogen peroxide to produce aerobic conditions.
• Hydrogen peroxide itself is not innocuous to tissues, and some have advocated using hyperbaric oxygen therapy if available.
• Antitoxin may be injected directly into the wound site.
• Urinary retention may require use of a catheter.
• Public education about botulism prevention is an ongoing activity.
• Antitoxin may be injected directly into the wound site.

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