botulism

botulism

overview

Botulism is a rare but serious disease caused by a toxin that attacks the body's nerves. Botulism can cause life-threatening symptoms. A species of bacteria called Clostridium botulinum produces the toxin. Botulism can occur as a result of food or wound contamination. The condition can also occur when bacterial spores grow in the intestines of infants. In rare cases, botulism can also be caused by medical treatment or bioterrorism.

Three common forms of botulism are:

• Lebensmittelbedingter Botulismus. Die schädlichen Bakterien gedeihen und bilden das Gift in Umgebungen mit wenig Sauerstoff, wie zum Beispiel in hausgemachten Konserven.
• Wundbotulismus. Wenn diese Bakterien in einen Schnitt gelangen, können sie eine gefährliche Infektion verursachen, die das Toxin bildet.
• Säuglingsbotulismus. Diese allgemeinste Form von Botulismus beginnt, nachdem sich Sporen von C. botulinum-Bakterien im Darmtrakt eines Babys vermehrt haben. Es tritt typischerweise bei Babys im Alter zwischen 2 und 8 Monaten auf. In seltenen Fällen betrifft diese Form des Darmbotulismus auch Erwachsene.

Occasionally, botulism occurs when too much botulinum toxin is injected for cosmetic or medical reasons. This rare form is called iatrogenic botulism. The term “iatrogenic” means a disease caused by a medical examination or treatment.

Another rare form of botulism can occur from inhaling toxins. This can happen as a result of bioterrorism.

All forms of botulism can be fatal and are considered medical emergencies.

Symptoms

Foodborne botulism

Symptoms of foodborne botulism typically begin 12 to 36 hours after the toxin enters your body. But depending on how much toxin you've consumed, the onset of symptoms can range from a few hours to a few days.

Symptoms of foodborne botulism include:

• Schwierigkeiten beim Schlucken oder Sprechen
• Trockener Mund
• Gesichtsschwäche auf beiden Seiten des Gesichts
• Verschwommenes oder doppeltes Sehen
• Herabhängende Augenlider
• Atembeschwerden
• Übelkeit, Erbrechen und Magenkrämpfe
• Lähmung

Wound botulism

Symptoms of wound botulism appear about 10 days after the toxin enters your body. Symptoms of wound botulism include:

• Schwierigkeiten beim Schlucken oder Sprechen
• Gesichtsschwäche auf beiden Seiten des Gesichts
• Verschwommenes oder doppeltes Sehen
• Herabhängende Augenlider
• Atembeschwerden
• Lähmung

The area around the wound may not always appear swollen and show a change in color.

Infant botulism

Problems generally begin 18 to 36 hours after the toxin enters the baby's body. Symptoms include:

• Verstopfung, die oft das erste Symptom ist
• Schlappe Bewegungen aufgrund von Muskelschwäche und Schwierigkeiten, den Kopf zu kontrollieren
• Schwacher Schrei
• Reizbarkeit
• Sabbern
• Herabhängende Augenlider
• Müdigkeit
• Probleme beim Saugen oder Füttern
• Lähmung

Certain symptoms do not usually occur with botulism. For example, botulism does not usually increase blood pressure or heart rate or cause fever or confusion. However, sometimes wound botulism can cause fever.

Iatrogenic botulism

Serious side effects have rarely occurred with iatrogenic botulism - when the toxin is injected for cosmetic or medical reasons. These can include headaches, facial paralysis and muscle weakness.

When to go to the doctor?

Get urgent medical help if you suspect you have botulism. Initial treatment increases your chances of survival and reduces your risk of complications.

Prompt medical care can also alert public health officials to episodes of foodborne botulism. They may be able to stop other people from eating contaminated food. However, remember that botulism cannot spread from person to person.

An unusual botulism cluster - particularly in people with no clear connection - that develops within 12 to 48 hours can raise suspicion of bioterrorism.

Causes

Foodborne botulism

The typical source of foodborne botulism is homemade foods that have been canned or preserved improperly. These foods are typically fruits, vegetables and fish. Other foods such as hot peppers (chilli peppers), baked potatoes wrapped in foil, and garlic-infused oil can also be sources of botulism.

Wound botulism

When C. botulinum bacteria get into a wound, they can multiply and produce toxins. The wound may be a cut that was not noticed. Or the wound may be caused by a traumatic injury or surgery.

Wound botulism has increased in recent decades among people who inject heroin, which can contain spores of the bacteria. In fact, this form of botulism is more common in people who inject black tar heroin.

Infant botulism

Babies get infant botulism when the bacterial spores enter their intestines and create toxins. In some cases, honey can be the cause of infant botulism. But it is more likely to be exposed to soil contaminated with bacteria. In rare cases, this form of intestinal botulism also affects adults.

Iatrogenic botulism

Botulism rarely occurs when too much botulinum toxin is used for cosmetic reasons, such as: B. to remove wrinkles, or for medical reasons, e.g. B. to treat migraines.

Complications

Because it affects muscle control throughout the body, botulinum toxin can cause many complications. The most immediate danger is that you will no longer be able to breathe. Shortness of breath is a common cause of death from botulism. Other complications that may require rehabilitation may include:

• Schwierigkeiten beim Sprechen
• Schluckbeschwerden
• Lang anhaltende Schwäche
• Kurzatmigkeit

prevention

Foodborne botulism

When canning or preserving food at home, use proper techniques to ensure botulism germs are destroyed. It is also important to prepare and store food safely:

• Koche selbstgemachte Konserven bei 250 Grad Fahrenheit (121 Grad Celsius) für 20 bis 100 Minuten, je nach Lebensmittel.
• Denken Sie daran, diese Lebensmittel 10 Minuten lang zu kochen, bevor Sie sie servieren.
• Essen Sie keine Konserven, deren Behälter prall gefüllt ist oder die Lebensmittel schlecht riechen. Aber Geschmack und Geruch verraten nicht immer das Vorhandensein von C. botulinum. Einige Sorten lassen Essen nicht schlecht riechen oder ungewöhnlich schmecken.
• Wenn Sie Kartoffeln vor dem Backen in Folie wickeln, essen Sie sie heiß. Lösen Sie die Folie und lagern Sie die Kartoffeln im Kühlschrank – nicht bei Zimmertemperatur.
• Bewahre selbstgemachte Öle mit Knoblauch oder Kräutern im Kühlschrank auf. Wirf sie nach vier Tagen weg.
• Kühle Konserven nach dem Öffnen.

Wound botulism

To prevent wound botulism and other serious blood-borne diseases, never inject or inhale street drugs. Keep wounds clean to prevent infection. If you think a wound is infected, seek medical attention immediately.

Infant botulism

To reduce the risk of infant botulism, avoid giving honey—even a tiny taste—to children under 1 year old.

Iatrogenic botulism

To prevent iatrogenic botulism, consult a licensed healthcare provider for any cosmetic or medical procedures that use various forms of botulinum toxin. These include onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox), abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport), and others.

Sources:

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