Botulism

Botulism is a very rate and serious paralytic illness that is caused by a nerve toxin known as the ‘botulin’ that is produced by the bacteria ‘Clostridium Botulinum’. The toxin produced by these bacteria is one of the most powerful known toxins and an amount as small as 1 microgram can be lethal to humans. The toxin works by blocking the nerve function and leads to respiratory along with musculoskeletal paralysis.

Botulism was first recorded in 1735 when the disease was associated with a German sausage. Later in 1870 Muller, a German physician derived the term botulism from the Latin word for sausage. The bacteria ‘Clostridium Botulinum’ was isolated in 1895 and the neurotoxin that the bacteria produce was isolated in the year 1944 by Dr. Edward Schantz.

Kinds of Botulism

Botulism can attack in the following three forms:

• Food Borne Botulism: Botulism causing bacteria can thrive with very littlel oxygen and produces toxins in canned tins which is an excellent carrier and the most common cause of food borne botulism.
• Wound Botulism: This form of botulism occurs when the bacteria enters the body through an open wound. People injecting themselves with illegal drugs are more prone to this form of botulism.
• Infant Botulism: This is the most common form and begins after the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum grows in the intestinal tract of the baby. This form of botulism strikes the baby between the ages 6 weeks and 6 months. The babies accidentally ingest these bacteria in the form of sores by eating contaminated food or coming in contact with contaminated soil.

Symptoms of Botulism

The symptoms of botulism are typically seen between 18 and 36 hours after the toxin is released in the body. Some of the common symptoms seen in cases of food borne and wound botulism are:

• Paralysis
• Double vision
• Difficulty in swallowing and speaking
• Trouble in breathing
• Nausea and vomiting

Apart from this, the first sign that is seen in cases of infant botulism is constipation. Some of the other symptoms of infant botulism are:

• Floppy movements and trouble in controlling head movements
• Difficulty is sucking and feeding
• Paralysis
• A weak cry

As the bacteria affect all the muscles in your body, the first major symptom that you will see is difficulty in breathing. This is known to be the most common cause of death. The next symptoms to follow are difficulty in speaking and swallowing.

Diagnosing Botulism

To diagnose botulism, the doctor will begin with investigating the symptoms of botulism and muscle weakness of paralysis including drooping eyelids and a weak voice. The doctor will also have to ask you about the food that you have eaten over past few days or if there could be possibility that you have been exposed to the bacteria through an open wound.

In the case of a possible infant botulism, the doctor will confirm if the child has consumed any honey or corn syrup and is suffering from any constipation and sluggishness.

Treating Botulism

Antitoxins are available to treat botulism that have to be injected directly into the bloodstream. The antitoxin attaches itself to the toxin present in the blood and prevents it from harming the nerves.

If food borne botulism is identified, the stomach may be cleared out to remove any undigested food. Further, medications can be administered to induce bowel movements. While in cases of wound botulism, the tissues around the wound may have to be removed surgically.

However, in cases of infant botulism, the antitoxins are not recommended as it does not affect the bacteria present in the digestive system of the baby. An alternate form of treatment known as botulism globulin is available for treating infants.

Further, if the patient is experiencing trouble in breathing, the doctor may use a ventilator to help aid the breathing. The ventilator may be required for several weeks till the effects of the toxin become less. Therapy to improve speech, swallowing and other functions affected may be required.

Botulism and Botox

I was very surprised to read that the wonder drug contains a very tiny amount of botulinum toxin. The toxin helps in reducing facial wrinkles by preventing the contraction of muscles present beneath the skin. Botox is also used to treat eyelids spasm. Research to treat migraine headaches using botox is underway.

If you suspect you or someone around you has botulism, medical care should be sought immediately as early treatment increases the changes of survival. Further, once you seek medical help, the necessary authorities are contacted who can help stop other people from eating the contaminated food.