Foodborne Botulism: Neglected Diagnosis

Botulism is rare neuroparalytic disease caused by botulinum toxin, one of the most toxic substances known. Foodborne botulism is caused by consumption of foods contaminated with botulinum toxin. The clinical manifestations are flaccid, symmetrical, descending paralysis affecting cranial and peripher...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEuropean journal of case reports in internal medicine Vol. 6; no. 5; p. 001122
Main Authors Palma, Nuno Zarcos, da Cruz, Mariana, Fagundes, Vítor, Pires, Lindora
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Italy SMC Media Srl 2019
SMC MEDIA SRL
Subjects
botulinum toxin
Botulism
Clostridium botulinum
foodborne
botulinum toxin
Botulism
Clostridium botulinum
foodborne
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Summary:Botulism is rare neuroparalytic disease caused by botulinum toxin, one of the most toxic substances known. Foodborne botulism is caused by consumption of foods contaminated with botulinum toxin. The clinical manifestations are flaccid, symmetrical, descending paralysis affecting cranial and peripheral nerves. The only specific treatment is botulinum antitoxin. We report the case of a 37-year-old man with gastrointestinal manifestations and posterior cranial nerve palsy who was diagnosed with botulism infection. Clinicians should be aware of rare causes of infection and determine the aetiology of symptoms. Botulism remains a diagnostic challenge.Misdiagnosis of early cases suggests sporadic cases are overlooked.Timely clinical diagnosis is critical for treatment decisions as botulinum antitoxin cannot reverse existing paralysis.
ISSN:2284-2594
2284-2594
DOI:10.12890/2019_001122