This infectious disease can have serious consequences.
In this article we will see what exactly botulism is, what its causes, symptoms and treatment are, and what can be done to prevent this condition and contact with the bacteria that causes it.
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What is botulism?
We call botulism a disease caused by the effects of a toxin generated by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum , and that is potentially fatal.
It usually originates from food poisoning, but this substance that is harmful to the human body can also enter the body through other routes, such as wound infection (something that occurs especially in cases of botulism in heroin addicts). ).
As we have seen before, it is rare that cases of this disease occur, but sometimes infections occur in multiple people due to the sale of ingestion of contaminated food.
Symptoms
This condition, which began to be investigated as early as the 19th century (time when it was called “Kerner’s disease”) is now widely studied, but it is still difficult to understand the mechanisms by which intoxication occurs.
This is among other things because, as happens with all microorganisms, there are different variants of the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, and not all of them can intoxicate us in the same way. There is even at least one variant that does not cause us any damage.
However, in general, the symptoms associated with botulism are as follows .
1. Muscle weakness
This is one of the first symptoms of botulism to manifest, and it begins to appear in the muscles innervated by the cranial nerves . In other words, it is the area of the face and neck that shows the effect of intoxication earlier, and specifically the area of the eyes.
Thus, palpebral ptosis (inability to lift the eyelids) appears, mydriasis or constant pupil dilation, ophthalmoplegia, problems speaking and swallowing, and with the passage of time, the appearance of the sensation of fatigue and extreme weakness in the whole body, or even paralysis in some areas.
2. Double vision
Double vision is another of the most common symptoms of botulism, and is also associated with other problems that affect the eyes .
3. Physiological problems in the digestive system
Nausea, constipation, and vomiting are very common in botulism poisoning, as is dry mouth.
4. Apnea
Botulism also causes one of the most dangerous symptoms: apnea, or the absence of automatic breathing for a period of time.
5. Altered state of consciousness
One of the late symptoms of botulism is the affectation of the state of consciousness , which is diminished.
Causes
Botulism has several causes, which in turn influence how the disease affects the human body. In all of them, botulinum toxin enters the bloodstream, a highly poisonous substance . Let’s see what they are.
1. Food poisoning
This type of botulism occurs mostly in children and is the leading cause of infant botulism . It occurs when, by eating food with the bacteria, it reaches the small intestine and colonizes it, forming populations and secreting a constant flow of toxin there.
The toxin then reaches the bloodstream through the walls of the intestine.
In addition, the bacterium can be present in practically any type of food , and does not modify its flavor, so it is undetectable without the appropriate technological means.
2. Inhalation
This is probably the least common cause of botulism , and occurs mostly in artificial, laboratory settings.
3. Wound infection
Clostridium botulinum can also reach the body concentrating on open wounds , something that can happen especially in people with intravenous drug addiction, in which the circumstances of the presence of wounds, immune system in poor condition, and lack of hygiene occur. .
4. Negligent uses of cosmetic surgery with botox
The treatment of wrinkles with botox is made from the controlled use of the Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin, and it is not normally a dangerous procedure. But sometimes accidents happen due to misuse of materials .
Treatment
Medical treatment of botulism includes life-sustaining measures , such as the use of respiratory support technologies and the administration of nutrients intravenously, as well as the administration of an antitoxin.
Prior to this, a medical team carries out diagnostic work and analyzes the source of entry of the bacteria to find out what type the toxin belongs to.
Forecast
With timely medical treatment, mortality from botulism is significant but relatively low for a life-threatening disease: about 10% of cases that have been medically intervened end in death. Without treatment, mortality rises to 50% of cases.
Once the emergency intervention has been carried out, the muscular paralysis can remain for several weeks (up to 2 months), and at this stage it is necessary to count on assisted breathing.
Prevention
The measures to prevent botulism have to do above all with the use of food and the adoption of adequate hygiene measures in the rest of the aspects of life.
In the first case, the most important thing is not to take risks with the consumption of preserves or home-packaged foods , whether they are leftovers from a dinner or preserves made by hand and outside the safety standards of the market.
Foods such as fish , meat and vegetables should be consumed as soon as possible, without leaving them stored for a long time (even if they have been covered with a plastic film), and preserves, in case of doubt, should be boiled for about 8 or 10 minutes or discarded.
Bibliographic references
- Passaro, D.J., Werner, SB, McGee, J., Mac Kenzie, W.R., Vugia, D.J. (1998). “Wound botulism associated with black tar heroin among injecting drug users”. JAMA. 279 (11): 859–63.
- Satterfield, B.A., Stewart ,A.F., Lew, C.S., Pickett, D.O., Cohen, M.N., Moore, E.A., Luedtke, P.F., O’Neill, K.L., Robison, R.A. (2010). A quadruplex real-time PCR assay for rapid detection and differentiation of the Clostridium botulinum toxin genes A, B, E and F. J. Med. Microbiol. 59 (1): 55 – 64.
- Sundeen, G., Barbieri, J.T. (2017). Vaccines against Botulism. Toxins. 9 (9): 268.
- Truong, D., Dressler, D., Hallett, M., Zachary, C. (2014). Manual of Botulinum Toxin Therapy. Cambridge University Press.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.
