Botulism is a rare but serious illness. It is caused by a neurotoxin, generically called botulinum toxin, that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinic toxin is one of the most powerful known toxins: about one microgram is lethal to humans. It acts by blocking nerve function and leads to respiratory and musculoskeletal paralysis. In the United States an average of 110 cases of botulism are reported each year. Of these, approximately 25% are foodborne, 72% are infant botulism, and 3% are wound botulism. There are three kinds of botulism. Foodborne botulism comes from eating foods contaminated with the toxin. Wounds infected with toxin-producing bacteria result in wound botulism. Infant botulism is caused by consuming the spores of the bacteria.

All three forms can be deadly and are medical emergencies. Wound botulism is a rare disease and occurs when the spores get into an open wound and are able to reproduce in an anaerobic environment. The symptoms produced are similar to the foodborne form, but may take up to two weeks to appear. Common symptoms of either form usually include dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, drooping eyelids, muscle weakness, double and/or blurred vision, vomiting, bladder and sometimes diarrhea. These symptoms may progress to cause paralytic ileus with severe constipation, and eventually body paralysis. They usually appear within 12 to 36 hours (within a minimum and maximum range of four hours to eight days) after exposure. The disease can be fatal in 5 to 10% of cases.

Treatment may include antitoxins, intensive medical care or surgery of infected wounds. There are two primary Botulinum Antitoxins available for treatment of wound and foodborne botulism. First is Trivalent Botulinum Antitoxin is derived from equine sources utilizing whole antibodies. The second antitoxin is heptavalent Botulinum Antitoxin which is derived from "despeciated" equine IgG antibodies which have had the Fc portion cleaved off leaving the F(ab')2 portions. Botulism may be prevented by inactivation of the bacterial spores in heat-sterilized, canned products or by inhibiting growth in all other productsFood and water samples associated with suspect cases must be obtained immediately, stored in proper sealed containers, and sent to reference laboratories in order to help prevent further cases.

Botulism Treatment and Prevention Tips

1. Wash your hands.

2. Be very careful when canning foods at home.

3. Do not let babies eat honey.

4. Get prompt medical care for infected wounds.

5. Acidic conditions will prevent the growth or formation of toxin.

6. Antitoxins, intensive medical care or surgery of infected wounds.