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Botulism Food Poisoning
Botulism toxin, the most potent bacterial toxin known to exist is produced by the micro-organism Clostridium botulinum. A lethal dose can be as little as 0.1-1.0 milligram. This bacteria is found in soil and sea water. Botulism infection is uncommon. It is reported in four different forms:
1. Food-borne botulism
2. Wound botulism
3. Infant botulism
4. Botulism from an unknown source
FOOD-BORNE BOTULISM
This type of infection is potentially when one ingests food that contains C. botulinum spores. Inadequate preservation techniques, used in food processing, may not destroy the spores. When tainted foods are not cooked adequately to inactivate the toxin, those who ingest it become poisoned. The incubation period (time from ingestion of toxin to onset of symptoms) is 18-36 hours. Poisoning can vary from mild illness to death. Common symptoms of food-borne botulism include: double vision, difficulty swallowing, difficulty speaking, dry mouth, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. A descending paralysis can occur that starts in the face and neck and proceeds to involve the arms, legs, and respiratory muscles (until breathing is no longer possible). One physical finding seen in a majority of cases is bilateral dilated, unreactive pupils.
WOUND BOTULISM
Wounds may get contaminated with C botulinum spores, which germinate into organisms that produce toxin. The symptoms will be similar to food-borne botulism, but lacking the gastrointestinal symptoms. The incubation period (the time from wound inoculation to the onset of symptoms) for wound botulism is approximately 10 days.
INFANT BOTULISM
This is the most common form of botulism. About 500 cases have been reported since it was first described in 1976. Some dietary factors have been identified which result in the colonization of the infant gastrointestinal tract with C. botulinum. Honey may contain spores and should not be fed to infants less than 6 months of age. Those who are infected will usually have 2-3 days of constipation followed by the sudden onset of weakness, loss of muscle tone, and poor suckling. Symptoms usually peak at 2-3 weeks and then resolve. Infant botulism may be responsible for up to 13% of cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
BOTULISM FROM AN UNKNOWN SOURCE Some patients with botulism have no apparent source for the infection. Undoubtedly, some of these patients have ingested contaminated food (and don't remember) or have a nonapparent wound. Symptoms will be the same as those listed above. Some gastrointestinal disorders may permit the colonization of C. botulinum within the intestine. Antibiotic therapy and prior intestinal surgery may also be contributing factors. Diagnosis is usually made by culture from the contaminated wound or stool (in the case of food-borne infection). Methods to detect the toxin in the serum (blood) or stool is also possible. Treatment includes the use of antibiotics, anti-toxin and supportive care. Cathartics and enemas may be useful in the case of food-borne infection. See a physician IMMEDIATELY for all suspected cases.
Hope this article will provide you information about botulism.
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