Botulism is a serious but rare disease caused by the action of the botulinum toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum , which can be found in the soil and in poorly preserved foods. Infection with this bacterium can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and, if left untreated, can result in muscle impairment.
According to the way in which the toxin and bacteria enter the body, the disease can be classified into:
- Food botulism, in which people acquire the bacteria by consuming contaminated foods or that have been stored incorrectly; Wound botulism, in which Clostridium botulinum infects the person through the contamination of wounds, mainly chronic ulcers, fissures or wounds caused by needles in injecting drug users; Intestinal botulism, in which the bacteria fixes itself in the intestine and multiplies, with the production of toxin and absorption by the body. This type of botulism is more common in people who have had intestinal surgery, have Crohn's disease or have used antibiotics for a long time, which alters the intestinal microbiota.
It is important that botulism is identified by means of blood and microbiological tests so that treatment can be started and prevent disease progression, which can result in disability or death.
Main symptoms
Botulism symptoms usually appear 4 to 36 hours after the toxin enters the body. The higher the concentration of toxin in the blood, the sooner symptoms appear, the main ones being:
- Dry mouth; Double vision; Falling of the upper eyelid; Difficulty focusing vision on nearby objects; Nausea; Fever; Vomiting; Cramps; Diarrhea; Difficulty speaking and swallowing; Progressive weakness of the respiratory muscles; Weakness of the leg muscles.
As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more severe and debilitating, mainly due to the weakness of the respiratory muscles, which results in difficulty in breathing, which can cause death due to paralysis of the respiratory muscles.
In the case of infant botulism, which is characterized by the entry of bacteria in the body and subsequent production of toxins, the clinical picture can vary from mild constipation to sudden death. Therefore, it is important to identify botulism in the first symptoms so that treatment can be done. Learn more about baby botulism.
Causes of botulism
Botulism is mainly caused by the consumption of food contaminated by the bacteria and its toxin. The main cause of infant botulism is the consumption of honey before the first year of age, because at this stage the baby does not yet have a well-developed immune system, being prone to infections by opportunistic bacteria.
Homemade preserves also represent a high risk of infection with Clostridium botulinum , since the presence of moisture and nutrients and in the absence of oxygen the bacteria can multiply and produce toxins capable of resisting the body's digestive enzymes, resulting in food poisoning.
Vegetables, fish, fruits and spices are the most common food sources. Beef, dairy, pork and poultry meat and other foods can also contain bacteria or botulinum toxin. Here's how to avoid food contamination.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of botulism is made by the doctor based on the analysis of the symptoms presented by the patient, in addition to blood tests or feces that indicate the presence of the bacteria in the body. After the diagnosis of the disease, treatment is initiated and should be carried out, preferably, in a hospital environment from the administration of anti-botulinum serum which aims to neutralize the effects of the toxin in the body. Understand how botulism is treated.
How to avoid
The best way to prevent botulism is by cleaning food before preparing and consuming it, in addition to paying attention to storage conditions, not leaving food in an environment with a temperature above 15ºC, for example. In addition, it is recommended to avoid the consumption of canned foods that are in stewed cans or glasses, or that have a change in smell or aspect of the food.
