A Challenging Case : Botulism in a Toddler

Copyright © 2023, Castro et al..

Botulism is a life-threatening, rapidly progressive neuroparalytic disease caused by one of the most potent toxins known, botulinum toxin. It manifests as flaccid and symmetrical descending paralysis that can affect both cranial and peripheral nerves. The only specific treatment available is the administration of botulinum antitoxin. We present the case of a three-year-old boy who had gastrointestinal symptoms and had ingested garden soil/dust at a construction site before the onset of cranial nerve palsy, which manifested as dysphagia in swallowing liquid and solid food and bilateral progressive ptosis. Early suspicion of botulism and treatment with botulinum antitoxin resulted in complete neurologic recovery. This case highlights the importance of a careful history and neurologic examination to avoid misdiagnosis. Administration of botulinum antitoxin should not be delayed until the diagnosis is confirmed and clinicians should be aware that this approach can be life-saving.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2023

Erschienen:

2023

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:15

Enthalten in:

Cureus - 15(2023), 12 vom: 18. Dez., Seite e49924

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Castro, Carolina [VerfasserIn]
Machado Morais, Joana [VerfasserIn]
Correia, Ana Luisa [VerfasserIn]
Almeida, Rui [VerfasserIn]
Soares, Sérgia [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Botulinum neurotoxin
Case Reports
Clostridium botulinum
Foodborne botulism
Paralysis
Ptosis

Anmerkungen:

Date Revised 05.01.2024

published: Electronic-eCollection

Citation Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE

doi:

10.7759/cureus.49924

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM366648039