Botulism
Botulism is a serious disease caused by a poison from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The toxin produced by this bacterium is recognized as one of the most powerful poisons. Therefore, although classified as rare, botulism is a serious, life-threatening disease.
Toxins produced by these bacteria attack the nervous system of the brain, spinal cord and other nerves and can cause paralysis or muscle paralysis. If left untreated, paralysis will spread to the muscles that control breathing
Causes and risk factors for botulism
Botulism is caused by a poison from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, found in soil, dust, rivers and the seabed. In fact, this bacterium is harmless in normal environmental conditions. However, bacteria will release toxins if they lack oxygen. For example, if it is in mud and on the ground that cannot be removed, in cans, bottles or in the human body.
Each type of botulism is triggered by a different factor, as explained below:
Symptoms of botulism
The time symptoms of botulism vary from patient to patient, ranging from a few hours to several days after exposure to the Clostridium botulinum poison. Early symptoms of botulism usually include stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and seizures.
Other symptoms experienced by the patient depend on the cause and type of botulism, including:
In foodborne botulism, the above symptoms usually appear 12 to 36 hours after the poison enters the body. However, it can also appear several days later. While in patients with wound botulism, the above symptoms do not appear until 10 days after exposure to the poison.
In cases of botulism in infants, symptoms appear 18 to 36 hours after the entry of toxins into the body, including:
Initially to diagnose botulism, the doctor will ask what food the patient has consumed in the last few days. The doctor will also ask if the patient has an open wound which might be a pathway for bacteria. While in the case of botulism in infants, the doctor will ask whether the baby has recently consumed honey, has epileptic seizures or looks lethargic.
In fact, blood tests and examination of stool samples can help doctors diagnose infant botulism and foodborne botulism. Because a few days are needed to get the results of both tests, the doctor will prioritize a physical examination to diagnose botulism.
Physical examination is done by checking for signs of muscle weakness or paralysis, such as soft eyelids and weak sounds. However, to confirm the diagnosis, doctors can perform imaging tests to detect lesions in the head and brain.
Other investigations to confirm the diagnosis of botulism are:
Botulism treatment
The method of botulism treatment depends on the type. For example, in the case of foodborne botulism, the doctor will prescribe drugs to stimulate vomiting and laxatives to eliminate toxins in the digestive system. In the case of botulism on the wound, the doctor can perform surgery to remove the infected tissue.
A number of methods commonly used to treat people with botulism are as follows:
Some steps can be taken to prevent someone contracting botulism, namely:
Complications of botulism
Botulism can affect all body muscles. If left untreated, this condition can cause complications to stop breathing, which is the leading cause of botulism death. Patients who have survived botulism may also have breathing problems or feel tired for years after botulism.
Toxins produced by these bacteria attack the nervous system of the brain, spinal cord and other nerves and can cause paralysis or muscle paralysis. If left untreated, paralysis will spread to the muscles that control breathing
Botulism is caused by a poison from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, found in soil, dust, rivers and the seabed. In fact, this bacterium is harmless in normal environmental conditions. However, bacteria will release toxins if they lack oxygen. For example, if it is in mud and on the ground that cannot be removed, in cans, bottles or in the human body.
Each type of botulism is triggered by a different factor, as explained below:
- Botulism from food. This type of botulism is caused by consumption of low acidic canned food that is not packaged properly, be it vegetables, fruits, fish or meat. The bacteria C. botulinum present in these packaged foods can disrupt nerve function and cause paralysis.
- Botulism due to injury. Botulism occurs when the bacteria C. botulinum enters a wound, which often occurs in drug addicts. The bacteria that trigger botulism can contaminate banned substances, such as heroin. When drugs enter the body, the bacteria in these substances multiply and produce toxins. In the past decade, botulism injuries have increased with injection of heroin abuse. In some cases, botulism injuries also occur when inhaling cocaine damages the inside of the nose.
- Baby botulism. Infant botulism occurs when the baby consumes food containing C. botulinum spores or is exposed to soil contaminated by bacteria. Bacterial spores that are swallowed by babies multiply and release toxins into the digestive tract. However, these bacterial spores are not harmful to babies over one year, because the body has developed immunity against bacteria.
Symptoms of botulism
The time symptoms of botulism vary from patient to patient, ranging from a few hours to several days after exposure to the Clostridium botulinum poison. Early symptoms of botulism usually include stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and seizures.
Other symptoms experienced by the patient depend on the cause and type of botulism, including:
- Dysphagia and speech disorders
- Dry mouth
- Weak facial muscles
- Vision loss
- Eyelid fall
- hard to breathe
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- paralyzed
In foodborne botulism, the above symptoms usually appear 12 to 36 hours after the poison enters the body. However, it can also appear several days later. While in patients with wound botulism, the above symptoms do not appear until 10 days after exposure to the poison.
In cases of botulism in infants, symptoms appear 18 to 36 hours after the entry of toxins into the body, including:
- mucus
- It seems sleepy
- Difficulty controlling head movements
- difficult
- constipation
- Difficulty breastfeeding or eating
- Weak cry
- transmission
- paralyzed
Initially to diagnose botulism, the doctor will ask what food the patient has consumed in the last few days. The doctor will also ask if the patient has an open wound which might be a pathway for bacteria. While in the case of botulism in infants, the doctor will ask whether the baby has recently consumed honey, has epileptic seizures or looks lethargic.
In fact, blood tests and examination of stool samples can help doctors diagnose infant botulism and foodborne botulism. Because a few days are needed to get the results of both tests, the doctor will prioritize a physical examination to diagnose botulism.
Physical examination is done by checking for signs of muscle weakness or paralysis, such as soft eyelids and weak sounds. However, to confirm the diagnosis, doctors can perform imaging tests to detect lesions in the head and brain.
Other investigations to confirm the diagnosis of botulism are:
- Electromyography (EMG). EMG is done to check the electrical activity of muscles. This procedure is carried out in two steps. The first step is to attach electrodes to the surface of the skin to measure the ability of motor neurons to send electrical signals. The second step is to insert the electrode needle into the muscle tissue to measure the electrical signal that is generated.
- Cerebrospinal fluid examination (CSF test). Cerebrospinal fluid examination will help the doctor to determine whether the symptoms are caused by infection or injury to the brain and spine. Cerebrospinal fluid is a fluid that protects and transmits nutrients to the brain and spine while removing metabolic waste.
Botulism treatment
The method of botulism treatment depends on the type. For example, in the case of foodborne botulism, the doctor will prescribe drugs to stimulate vomiting and laxatives to eliminate toxins in the digestive system. In the case of botulism on the wound, the doctor can perform surgery to remove the infected tissue.
A number of methods commonly used to treat people with botulism are as follows:
- Give antitoxin. Antitoxin injections are given to people with foodborne botulism or botulism to reduce the risk of complications. Antitoxin will prevent the toxin from binding to nerve endings. Binding poison with nerve endings is what makes nerves paralyzed. However, antitoxin cannot release the bonds that have developed between nerves that contain toxins. To recover, it takes several months with the help of physiotherapy. Antitoxin can also be given to babies, but under a different type, namely botulinum immunoglobulin.
- Give antibiotics. Antibiotics are only recommended for people with wound botulism because they can actually speed up the release of toxins to other types of botulism.
- Supply of breathing apparatus. A respirator or ventilator will be installed in patients with difficulty breathing. The fan will be installed for several weeks, until the toxic effects gradually decrease.
- Rehabilitation Rehabilitation therapy is carried out on people with botulism who have recovered. This therapy aims to help the recovery process by talking, swallowing and improving bodily functions affected by botulism.
Some steps can be taken to prevent someone contracting botulism, namely:
- If you want to eat canned food, cook it at temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius for 20 to 100 minutes, depending on the type of food.
- Avoid eating foods that have broken packaging, smelling foods, foods that are stored at inappropriate temperatures, and stale food.
- Do not give honey to babies under one year, even in small amounts. Indeed, honey is known to contain C. botulinum spores.
- Do not use drugs, especially heroin, if inhaled or injected. Please note that the use of sterile syringes cannot prevent botulism. Indeed, the bacterial contamination that causes botulism is not in the syringe, but in the heroin itself.
Complications of botulism
Botulism can affect all body muscles. If left untreated, this condition can cause complications to stop breathing, which is the leading cause of botulism death. Patients who have survived botulism may also have breathing problems or feel tired for years after botulism.
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