Foodborne Botulism

Foodborne botulism is serious type of food poisoning that can result in paralysis. It is caused by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. This bacteria produce a nerve toxin that can cause paralysis. Foodborne botulism can be fatal and is considered a medical emergency.

Causes

Foodborne botulism can be caused by eating contaminated home-canned foods that have a low acid content, such as including, green beans, beets, and corn. But there have been cases of botulism from more unusual sources, such as chopped garlic in oil, chile peppers, tomatoes, improperly handled baked potatoes wrapped in aluminum foil, and home-canned.

Botulism can result if a baby eats raw honey or corn syrup contaminated by C. botulinum spores. The spores multiply in the infant's intestine and produce toxins. Infants should not be given raw honey.

Symptoms

• Nonspecific early: nausea, vomiting, weakness, malaise, constipation
• Dysphagia +++++
• Fatigue +++
• Descending paralysis beginning with cranial nerves: dry mouth ++++, diplopia ++++, dysarthria ++++, upper extremity weakness +++, lower extremity weakness +++
• Respiratory failure (late)

Signs

• Descending paralysis: cranial nerve dysfunction (ptosis ++++, extraocular muscle weakness +++, miosis +++), descending muscle weakness or paralysis
• Reflexes, normal +++ or decreased +++
• Sensation and sensorium are usually intact.

Treatment

Early diagnosis and treatment of botulism is important. It is remove any remaining contaminated food from the digestive system.

Foodborne and botulism can be treated with an antitoxin. This medicatiion blocks the action of toxin in the blood. Antitoxin doesn't undo the damage already done. Intravenous fluids can be given if a person can't swallow. Artificial breathing machine is often used to treat breathing difficulties.

The antibiotics only be used to treat infections. Use of antibiotics kill botulism spores in the intestine. This can result in the absorption of even more toxin.