Intestinal toxemia botulism in 3 adults, Ontario, Canada, 2006-2008

Emerg Infect Dis. 2012 Jan;18(1):1-6. doi: 10.3201/eid1801.110533.

Abstract

Five cases of intestinal toxemia botulism in adults were identified within an 18-month period in or near Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We describe findings for 3 of the 5 case-patients. Clinical samples contained Clostridium botulinum spores and botulinum neurotoxins (types A and B) for extended periods (range 41-61 days), indicative of intestinal toxemia botulism. Patients' clinical signs improved with supportive care and administration of botulinum antitoxin. Peanut butter from the residence of 1 case-patient yielded C. botulinum type A, which corresponded with type A spores found in the patient's feces. The food and clinical isolates from this case-patient could not be distinguished by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Two of the case-patients had Crohn disease and had undergone previous bowel surgery, which may have contributed to infection with C. botulinum. These cases reinforce the view that an underlying gastrointestinal condition is a risk factor for adult intestinal toxemia botulism.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Botulinum Antitoxin / therapeutic use
  • Botulism / drug therapy
  • Botulism / epidemiology
  • Botulism / pathology*
  • Clostridium botulinum / isolation & purification
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ontario

Substances

  • Botulinum Antitoxin