Prompt clinical identification of botulism is vital to provide timely therapy to improve patients’ outcomes.
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Botulism is a rare, severe, and potentially lethal condition caused by the botulinum toxin. It is characterized by symmetric cranial nerve palsy, commonly followed by symmetric, descending, flaccid paralysis of involuntary muscles, which may result in respiratory compromise and death. (1) The sensorium remains intact because the botulism toxin does not cross the blood-brain barrier. (2) Fever is notoriously absent, except in cases complicated with secondary nosocomial infections. (3)
The botulinum toxin, which is recognized as one of the most potent neurotoxins, is produced by a few clostridial species but most commonly by Clostridium botulinum.
There are 4 recognized clinical syndromes: foodborne botulism, wound botulism, infant botulism, and intestinal toxemia. Inhalational botulism could result from aerosolization of botulinum...
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