Causes of botulism - Definition:

     The causes of botulism are determined by a toxin, or the poison produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The disease can lead to paralysis, loss of sensation or muscle function, if not treated. It also can cause difficulty in breathing. It is a rare disease, but it can be fatal.

     The causes of botulism are initiated by a toxin produced by bacteria. If not treated in time, the disease may progress and lead to paralysis of the arms, legs, trunk and respiratory muscles. The toxin that causes botulism is installed in the body through food stored improperly, foods containing the toxin, or by penetration of bacteria through open wounds. Infection does not extend from one person to another.

Botulism - incubation:

     In adults, symptoms usually begin after 12 or 36 hours after eating infected food. In infants, this period is between 3 to 30 days. When contacted by open wounds botulism, symptoms are installed after 4 to 14 days.

Symptoms:

     Symptoms that occur in people with botulism are: lack of strength, dry mouth, difficulty in swallowing, and / or speech, double vision or blurred vision, paralysis. In infants, the signs are hard to notice, as they include constipation, lack of appetite, crying and lack of power.

Diagnosis:

     Organisms that are the cause of botulism can be identified in stool samples or lymph (the fluid content of blood). It may require electromyography, measurement of electrical activity of muscles. Brain scans and spinal fluid examination may be helpful in diagnosis.

Differential Diagnosis

• The causes of botulism may be food poisoning;
• Neurological diseases (Guillain-Barre syndrome, myasthenia worse, hemorrhagic brain injury etc.).
• Other poisoning (mushrooms, methanol, metal toxins, atropine etc.)
• Polineural diphtheria;
• Polio.

Laboratory diagnosis

     It consists in isolating botulinum toxin or agent of materials taken from the patient (blood, emetic tables, water, gastric lavage) and in food. It is important to determine not only this toxin and germs, but their type to confirm the clinical diagnosis and institute a fair treatment.

Botulism treatment:

     Diagnosis and treatment of early stages of the disease are very important. Botulism caused by food and contact with the wounds can be treated with antitoxins, which block the action of toxins in the blood. Antitoxins cannot undo the mischief already done, but they can stop or prevent any disease evolution. Antitoxins are not routinely prescribed in the treatment of infant botulism. If a person cannot swallow, injection therapy is used. If breathing problems have occurred, a device for artificial respiration may be used.

     Antibiotics should only be used to treat complications caused by infection. Consumption of antibiotics may lead to a higher absorption of toxins, since the spores are destroyed in the gut. Many people have allergic reactions to antitoxins derived from horse serum. There are derivatives from human antitoxin which cause fewer side effects. Through proper treatment, the body is often able to heal in a few months. If botulism is not treated, can paralyze or can lead to individuals that can no longer breathe. Even with treatment, healing can take a long time, especially in infantile botulism. It can lead to complications due to paralysis, such as pneumonia or other infections.

Botulism prevention:

     Foods should be placed in storage or preserved only by those who know how to prevent food contamination. Strict hygiene procedures are to be followed, when preparing or preserving foods. The food cooking at 116 Celsius degrees can destroy the bacteria. Parents should not give children under the age of one year, honey containing Clostridium botulinum spores. Wounds should be carefully washed with antibacterial soap to prevent infection with this bacterium.