Botulism is an intoxication caused by ingestion or other exposure to a neurotoxin produced by the anaerobic, Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
Botulism is characterized by neurologic symptoms that may cause dysphagia, dry mouth, diplopia and dysarthria. Ptosis and descending, symmetrical paralysis are characteristic. The patient is usually mentally alert. Neurologic symptoms may be preceded or accompanied by mild GI disturbance such as constipation, vomiting, or diarrhea. Respiratory distress may occur if respiratory muscles become compromised.
Arizona usually sees 1-5 cases of botulism a year. Risk factors for cases in Arizona include IV drug use, consumption of canned food or consumption of prison wine, also known as "pruno."
Arizona 5 year median: 1 case
Transmission
Because C. botulinum forms spores, it can survive indefinitely under essentially any environmental condition.
Foodborne Botulism - Caused by ingestion of preformed toxin. Commonly implicated foods have been low acid, home-canned foods.
Wound Botulism - The toxin is produced in situ and disseminated in the blood from devitalized tissue where semi-anaerobic conditions are obtained. Often reported in drug users, especially injectors of “black-tar” heroin.
Inhalational Botulism - To date, the only human cases have been the result of inadvertent inhalation of toxin by laboratory workers. Toxin can be absorbed through the lung and it is believed that if botulinum toxin were to be used as a bioweapon, it would be by this route.
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