Editing Botulism (section)

{{Short description|Human and animal disease}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc|display-authors=6}}
{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name            = Botulism
| image           = Botulism1and2.JPG
| caption         = A 14-year-old boy with botulism, characterised by weakness of the eye muscles and the [[ptosis (eyelid)|drooping eyelids]] shown in the left image, and dilated and non-moving pupils shown in the right image. This [[adolescent|youth]] was fully conscious.
| field           = [[Infectious disease]], [[gastroenterology]]
| pronounce       = {{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɒ|tj|ʊ||l|ɪ|z|əm|}}
| symptoms        = Weakness, trouble seeing, [[Fatigue (medical)|feeling tired]], trouble speaking
| complications   = [[Respiratory failure]]
| onset           = 12 to 72 hours
| duration        = Variable
| types           =
| causes          = ''[[Clostridium botulinum]]''
| risks           =
| diagnosis       = Finding the bacteria or their toxin
| differential    = [[Myasthenia gravis]], [[Guillain–Barré syndrome]], [[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]], [[Lambert Eaton syndrome]]
| prevention      = Proper food preparation, no honey for children younger than one
| treatment       = [[Antitoxin]], antibiotics, [[mechanical ventilation]]
| medication      =
| prognosis       = ~7.5% risk of death
| frequency       =
| deaths          =
}}

'''Botulism''' is a rare and potentially fatal [[illness]] caused by [[botulinum toxin]], which is produced by the bacterium ''[[Clostridium botulinum]]''. The disease begins with weakness, blurred vision, [[Fatigue (medical)|feeling tired]], and trouble speaking. This may then be followed by weakness of the arms, chest muscles, and legs. Vomiting, swelling of the abdomen, and diarrhea may also occur. The disease does not usually affect [[consciousness]] or cause a [[fever]].

Botulism can occur in several ways. The [[bacterial spores]] which cause it are common in both soil and water and are very resistant. They produce the [[botulinum toxin]] when exposed to low oxygen levels and certain temperatures. Foodborne botulism happens when food containing the toxin is eaten. Infant botulism instead happens when the bacterium develops in the [[intestine]]s and releases the toxin. This typically only occurs in children less than one year old, as protective mechanisms against development of the bacterium develop after that age. Wound botulism is found most often among those who [[drug injection|inject street drugs]]. In this situation, spores enter a wound, and in the absence of oxygen, release the toxin. The disease is not passed directly between people. Its diagnosis is confirmed by finding the toxin or bacteria in the person in question.

Prevention is primarily by proper food preparation. The toxin, though not the spores, is destroyed by heating it to more than {{convert|85|°C|°F}} for longer than five minutes. The clostridial spores can be destroyed in an autoclave with moist heat (120°C/ 250°F for at least 15 minutes) or dry heat (160°C for 2 hours) or by irradiation. The spores of group I strains are inactivated by heating at 121°C (250°F) for 3 minutes during commercial canning. Spores of group II strains are less heat-resistant, and they are often damaged by 90°C (194°F) for 10 minutes, 85°C for 52 minutes, or 80°C for 270 minutes; however, these treatments may not be sufficient in some foods.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Center for Food Security and Public Health Iowa State University |date=19 February 2024 |title=Botulism |url=https://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/botulism.pdf }}</ref> [[Honey]] can contain the organism, and for this reason, honey should not be fed to children under 12 months. Treatment is with an [[Heptavalent botulism antitoxin|antitoxin]]. In those who lose their ability to breathe on their own, [[mechanical ventilation]] may be necessary for months. [[Antibiotic]]s may be used for wound botulism. Death occurs in 5 to 10% of people. Botulism also affects many other animals. The word is from [[Latin]] {{lang|la|botulus}}, meaning 'sausage'.
{{TOC limit}}