| Botulism occurs worldwide and affects more | | | | Ironically, botulinum toxin has found a beneficial |
| adults than children. Recently, findings have shown | | | | niche in the world of medicine due to this action. |
| that an infant’s GI tract can become | | | | How is Botulism Transmitted? |
| colonized with C. botulinum from some unknown | | | | Cases of foodborne botulism often come from |
| source, and then the exotoxin is produced within | | | | home-canned foods with low acid content, such |
| the infant’s intestine. Incidence had been | | | | as asparagus, green beans, beets, and corn. |
| declining, but the current trend toward home | | | | Clostridium botulinum bacteria is anaerobic, which |
| canning has resulted in an upswing in recent years. | | | | means it can survive and grow with little or no |
| Wound botulism occurs when open areas are | | | | oxygen. Therefore, it can survive very well in |
| infected with C. botulinum that secretes the toxin. | | | | sealed containers. |
| Clostridium botulinum: | | | | Symptoms of botulism: |
| Clostridium botulinum is the name of a group of | | | | Symptoms of botulism can begin from six hours |
| bacteria commonly found in soil. These rod-shaped | | | | to 10 days after ingestion. However, the average |
| organisms grow best in low oxygen conditions. | | | | length of time is 18 to 36 hours. The symptoms |
| The bacteria form spores which allow them to | | | | include include double vision, blurred vision, drooping |
| survive in a dormant state until exposed to | | | | eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry |
| conditions that can support their growth. | | | | mouth, and muscle weakness. When infants are |
| Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness | | | | infected, they appear lethargic, feed poorly, are |
| caused by a nerve toxin that is produced by the | | | | constipated, and have a weak cry and poor |
| bacterium Clostridium botulinum. There are three | | | | muscle tone. |
| main kinds of botulism. Foodborne botulism is | | | | Treatment of botulism: |
| caused by eating foods that contain the botulism | | | | If diagnosed early, food-borne and wound botulism |
| toxin. Wound botulism is caused by toxin | | | | can be treated with an antitoxin that blocks the |
| produced from a wound infected with Clostridium | | | | action of neurotoxin circulating in the blood. The |
| botulinum. | | | | trivalent antitoxin (effective against three |
| The bacteria and spores themselves are | | | | neurotoxins: A, B, and E) is dispensed from |
| harmless; the dangerous substance is the toxin | | | | quarantine stations by the U.S. government's |
| the bacteria produce when they grow. These | | | | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| bacteria produce seven types of botulism toxin, | | | | (CDC). The antitoxin can prevent the disorder |
| designated by the letters A through G. However, | | | | from worsening, but recovery still takes many |
| only types A, B, E, and F cause botulism in | | | | weeks. |
| humans. Botulinum toxin is the most poisonous | | | | The importance of cleanliness |
| substance known to exist. | | | | The other safety factor to keep in mind is |
| In humans, botulinum toxin latches onto specific | | | | cleanliness. All work surfaces should be kept clean |
| proteins in nerve endings and irreversibly destroys | | | | during all stages of the canning process. |
| them. These proteins control the release of | | | | The food being preserved must itself be rinsed |
| acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that stimulates | | | | clean. It is particularly important to sterilize the |
| muscle cells. With acetylcholine release blocked, | | | | jars and seals before use. To sterilize jars, boil |
| nerves are not able to stimulate muscles. | | | | them for 10 minutes. |