What is Botulism?
Botulism is a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by a nerve toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum (klos-trih-dee-um bot-u-li-num). There are four kinds of botulism which are food-borne botulism, wound botulism, infant botulism and adult intestinal colonization botulism
All forms of botulism can be fatal and should be considered medical emergencies.
What are the symptoms of Botulism?
The symptoms of botulism may include:
- double vision or blurred vision
- drooping eyelids
- slurred speech
- difficulty swallowing or dry mouth
- muscle weakness
- flaccid, symmetric, descending paralysis
These are all symptoms of muscle paralysis caused by the bacterial toxin. If untreated, these symptoms may progress to paralysis of the neck, arms, respiratory muscles, torso and legs.
Infants with botulism appear lethargic, feed poorly, are constipated, have a weak cry and exhibit poor muscle tone.
In food-borne botulism, symptoms generally begin 12 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food, but they can occur as early as six hours or as late as 10 days. Vomiting and constipation or diarrhea may be present initially.
How does Botulism spread?
Clostridium botulinum bacterium forms spores, which are small, usually single-celled reproductive bodies that are highly resistant to drought and heat and capable of growing into new organisms.
Under conditions with little oxygen (anaerobic), botulinum spores can germinate, resulting in the growth of bacteria and the production of the toxin. Botulism is not transmitted from person to person. Botulism develops if a person ingests the toxin (or rarely, if the toxin is inhaled or injected) or if the organism grows in the intestines or wounds and toxin is released.
Food-borne botulism is spread by consuming food contaminated with the botulism toxin or spores. It can be especially dangerous because many people can be poisoned by consuming contaminated food from the same source. Foods commonly associated with botulism include:
- inadequately home-canned foods with low acid content, such as asparagus, green beans, beets and corn
- lightly preserved foods such as fermented, salted or smoked fish and meat products.
Wound botulism occurs when the spores of Clostridum botulinum get into an open wound and are able to reproduce. It can result from contamination of wounds by soil, gravel, or improperly treated open fractures. It has also been associated with the use of injectable street drugs.
Infant botulism occurs when infants ingest Clostridum botulinum spores. In most adults and children older than one year, the body’s natural defences that develop over time prevent the germination and growth of these spores. However, because infants have not yet developed these natural defences, the spores grow in the infant’s gut, producing the bacteria that release the toxin. Honey and corn syrup are the food sources of infant botulism.
Adult intestinal colonization botulism is another form of botulism. It is similar to infant botulism but occurs in older children and adults with bowel abnormalities such as colitis, intestinal bypass procedures, or in association with other conditions that may create local or widespread disruption in the normal intestinal flora.
How is Botulism diagnosed?
Botulism is diagnosed through a combined assessment of the patient’s symptoms and history and specialized tests to rule out other diseases that can appear as botulism, such as stroke, myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barré syndrome. These tests may include a brain scan, spinal fluid examination and nerve conduction tests. The most direct way to confirm the diagnosis is to detect the botulinum toxin in the patient’s serum or stool. The bacteria can also be isolated from the stool of persons with food-borne and infant botulism.
How can you prevent Botulism?
- Practice safe home canning and food preservation techniques.
- Follow strict hygienic procedures to reduce contamination of foods.
- Do not eat from cans that are leaking or have bulging ends.
- Persons who eat home-canned food should consider boiling the content for 10 minutes before eating to ensure safety.
- Do not feed honey or corn syrup to children less than 12 months of age.
- Potatoes that have been baked while wrapped in aluminium foil should be refrigerated (4 degrees Celsius or lower) or kept hot (60 degrees Celsius or higher) until served.
- Always refrigerate products made with garlic or herbs soaked in oil. The oil provides an environment where any botulism spores present on the garlic or herbs can germinate and produce the toxin.
- Note: freezer temperatures inhibit growth of Clostridium botulinum bacteria in frozen food. Low moisture controls its growth in dried food. High oxygen controls its growth in fresh foods.
- Seek medical care for infected wounds or skin cuts and avoid using injectable street drugs.
What causes Botulism outbreaks?
Outbreaks of food-borne botulism have been associated with chopped garlic in oil, chili peppers, tomatoes, carrot juice and baked potatoes. In Canada, outbreaks have also been associated with seal meat, smoked salmon and fermented salmon eggs.
This page provides basic information only. It must not take the place of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to a health care professional about any health concerns.
Source: Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Public Health Division.
For Further Information
Call the Infectious Disease Program: (807) 625-5900
or toll-free 1-888-294-6630