Botulism: Causes And Effects Of Botulism

792 Words2 Pages

Botulism is an acute neurologic disorder that causes potentially life-threatening neuroparalysis due to a neurotoxin produced by clostridium botulinum (Chan-Tack, 2015 para. 1). Foodborne botulism is one of the many ways in which botulism is presented. Out of the 154 cases of botulism that are reported annually to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 are related to foodborne botulism (Chan-Tack, 2015 para. 19). In an effort to weigh in on the causes and effects of foodborne botulism, scholarly research will be conducted on academic journals and reputable sources. This research will provide an overview on foodborne botulism as well as some precaution and treatment measures.
Clostridium botulinum is an anaerobic gram-positive rod …show more content…

Once ingested, the botulinum toxin will prevent the release of acetylcholine from cholinergic neuron synapses, thus causing muscle and nerve paralysis (Lancaster, 1990). The incubation period for foodborne botulism is typically 12-72 hours. Classic signs and symptoms of foodborne botulism include cranial nerve paralysis, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, respiratory muscle weakness, and dry mouth unrelieved by drinking fluids. The progression of botulism includes the following: changes in deep tendon reflexes, incoordination due to muscle weakness, absence of pathologic reflexes and normal findings on sensory and gait examinations, paralytic ileus advancing to severe constipation, gastric dilatation, and bladder distention advancing to urinary retention (Chan-Tack, 2015 para. 6). Paralytic symptoms may cause serious complications with breathing, leading to aspiration and even death. Because the signs and symptoms of botulism often mimic those of other diseases and disorders, it is not uncommon for there to be a delay in the diagnosis (Shapiro & Swerdlow, …show more content…

Because the botulinum toxin causes respiratory failure and paralysis, ventilators (breathing machines) may be used to assist with breathing. “Meticulous airway management is paramount, as respiratory failure is the most important threat to survival in patients with botulism” (Chan-Tack, 2015 para. 11). Patients may also receive a tracheostomy to assist with the removal of secretions along with a Foley catheter to assist with incontinence. Whole bowel irrigation can also be used in order to purge out the botulin toxin. “Dr. Zamani pointed out the role of the whole bowel irrigation (WBI) with polyethylene glycol as an appropriate adjunctive option of gastrointestinal decontamination in severe botulism poisoning” (Lonati, et al.,

Open Document