Wound Botulism

Wound Botulism is a very serious disease caused by a bacteria. It can cause paralysis and death. Mostly wound botulism today occurs in people who inject recreational drugs.

Causes

Wound botulism is caused by a toxin produced from a wound infected with Clostridium botulinum

Wound botulism occurs when C. botulinum spores contaminate a wound, germinate, and grow within the wound. These produce a toxin that is absorbed into the bloodstream. It is common in crush injuries and illicit drug use.

Symptoms

• Similar to foodborne except GI complaints are less prominent and the onset is over days instead of hours.
• Weakness and drooping eyelids
• Trouble swallowing or talking

Signs

• Abscess or other wound. The spores germinate in the anaerobic environment of the abscess and release toxin into the bloodstream.

Treatment

There is no cure. Treatment is to keep the patient alive with a respirator until they get better.

To prevent Wound Botulism

Wound infection can be prevented by promptly seeking medical care for infected wounds and not using inject able street drugs.