Botulism is characterized by symmetric descending flaccid paralysis resulting from the effect of botulinum neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, a gram positive aerobic, spore-forming coccus.
The symptoms appear 4 –36 hr after ingestion of toxins which include nausea, vomiting, headache, dry mouth, constipation, double vision, slurred speech, muscle spasms and muscle weakness.
The disease progresses to as bilateral descending weakness of the peripheral muscles, leading to flaccid paralysis.
It first affects the upper limbs then the lower limbs and exhibit breathing difficulty because of diaphragm muscle weakness. The heart function also weakens and death follows.
Death is due to respiratory paralysis and occurs in 1-7 days after onset of the disease.
Patients with an early onset of clinical symptoms and patients over the age of 60 experience a longer clinical course and fare worse than younger patients who have a later onset of the disease.
Foodborne botulism symptoms
