Botulism

Exam Cram

• Botulism is caused by Clostridium botulism

• Presentation: flaccid limbs, choking water, unable to follow finger, hyporeflexia

• Diagnosis: botulism toxin or clostridium botulism detected in blood, stool or wound

• Management: botulism anti-toxin

Outline

Assessment

History

• Collapse, global paralysis

• Recent canned fish consumption; home cured ham

• Background: IVDU

Examination

• Paralysis- upper & lower limbs and eye movements

• Unsafe swallow

• Hyporeflexia

Investigations

• Raised inflammatory markers

• Anaemia, thrombocytopenia

• Serum or stool: Botulism toxin

• Blood, stool or wound culture: clostridium botulism

Diagnosis

Diagnostic criteria: symptomatic + detection of botulism organism or toxin in serum, stool or wound

Management

Acute

• Botulism anti-toxins (equine serum)

• ICU: intubation

Secondary

• Debridement of any abscess

Resources and References

Links

• Physiology: Haematopoietic & Immune system, Nervous system

• Disease type: Infective

• Specialty: Infectious Diseases (ID)

Written in 2025