Botulism - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Botulism is a clinical syndrome characterized by cranial nerve palsies, oculobulbar weakness, and descending, symmetrical flaccid paralysis in the absence of fever. Affected patients do not complain of sensory deficits.
The diagnosis of botulism is a clinical one, confirmed by the detection of toxin in clinical samples.
Treatment relies on a combination of aggressive supportive care and the swift administration of antitoxin in suspected cases.

A photomicrograph of Clostridium botulinum bacteria

CDC

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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Images

Six-week-old infant with botulism
$Wound botulism involvement of compound fracture of right arm$
Wound botulism involvement of compound fracture of right arm
A photomicrograph of Clostridium botulinum bacteria

Citations

Key Articles

Rao AK, Sobel J, Chatham-Stephens K, et al. Clinical Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Botulism, 2021. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021 May 7;70(2):1-30.[Abstract][Full Text]
Arnon SS, Schechter R, Inglesby TV, et al. Botulinum toxin as a biological weapon: medical and public health management. JAMA. 2001 Feb 28;285(8):1059-70.[Abstract]
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Investigational heptavalent botulinum antitoxin (HBAT) to replace licensed botulinum antitoxin AB and investigational botulinum antitoxin E. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2010 Mar 19;59(10):299.[Abstract][Full Text]
Arnon SS, Schechter R, Maslanka SE, et al. Human botulism immune globulin for the treatment of infant botulism. N Engl J Med. 2006 Feb 2;354(5):462-71.[Abstract][Full Text]

Other Online Resources

BMJ talk medicine podcast: infant botulism
CDC: national botulism surveillance
CDC: Information for health professionals: botulism
British Columbia Centre for Disease Control: laboratory services
CDC: infectious disease laboratories - our formulary
Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program
IBTPP: no honey during your baby's first year
CDC: botulism

Referenced Articles

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