BOTULISM

PART A
Botulism is a very rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins produced by
Clostridium botulinum bacteria .These toxins are some of the most powerful known
to science. They attack the nervous system (nerves, brain and spinal cord) and
cause paralysis (muscle weakness).Most people will make a full recovery with
treatment, but the paralysis can spread to the muscles that control breathing if it isn't
treated quickly. This is fatal in around 5 to 10% of cases.

The time it takes to develop symptoms can vary from a few hours to several days
after exposure to the Clostridium botulinum bacteria or their toxins .Depending on
the exact type of botulism, some people initially have symptoms such as feeling sick,
being sick (vomiting),stomach cramps,difficulty swallowing, diarrhoea or constipation.

Symptoms can include:

● Drooping eyelids: This condition is called unilateral ptosis when it affects one
eye and bilateral ptosis when it affects both eyes.
● Blurred or double vision: Double vision affecting both eyes is usually a
symptom of a squint.
● Facial muscle weakness: Facial weakness leads to the characteristic
impassive faces, as well as drooling and dysarthria.

PART B

Clostridium botulinum bacteria are found in soil, dust and river or sea sediments .The
bacteria themselves aren't harmful, but they can produce highly poisonous toxins
when deprived of oxygen, such as in closed cans or bottles, stagnant soil or mud, or
occasionally, the human body.

There are 3 main types of botulism:

● food-borne botulism – when someone eats food containing the toxins because
it hasn't been properly canned, preserved or cooked
● wound botulism – when a wound becomes infected with the bacteria, usually
as a result of injecting illegal drugs like heroin contaminated with the bacteria
into muscle rather than a vein
● infant botulism – when a baby swallows a resistant form of the bacteria, called
a spore, in contaminated soil or food, such as honey (these spores are
harmless to older children and adults because the body develops defences
against them from about the age of 1)
All these types of botulism are very rare in the UK, but occasional cases do occur.
PART C

Botulism needs to be treated in hospital.

The way it's treated depends on the type of botulism, but usually involves:

● neutralising the toxins with injections of special antitoxins or antibodies

● supporting the functions of the body, such as breathing, until you recover
Treatment won't reverse any paralysis that's already been caused by the toxin, but
will stop it getting any worse .In most people, paralysis that occurred before
treatment will gradually improve over the following weeks or months. As a result
of high standards of food hygiene in the UK, the chances of getting food-borne
botulism from food bought in this country are tiny .There's a slightly higher risk if you
produce your own food, particularly if this involves canning .But following food
hygiene procedures and canning recommendations will reduce any risk .In many
cases of infant botulism, the specific cause isn't identified so it may not always be
possible to prevent it .But you should avoid giving babies under the age of 1 honey
as it's been known to contain Clostridium botulinum spores.

PART D

BOTULISM MANAGEMENT CHART

 QUESTION
Answer the questions,8-14,with a word or short phrase from the texts. Each
answer may include words, numbers or both.

1. Where u can find clostridium botulism?

2. Types of botulism?

3. Dysphagia is one of the symptom of botulism?

4. When to administer antitoxin?

5. How many percentage of cases are fatal?

6. Paralysis won’t reveres by the treatment?

7. Progression of illness should be monitored?

Complete Answer the questions ,8-14,with a word or short phrase from the
texts. Each answer may include words, numbers or both.

8. Which bacteria is involves in toxin production?

9. What should avoid babies under the age of one to prevent infant botulism?
 10. If there is no onset or progression of botulism and signs or symptoms what
will do?

11. What condition may happen if bacteria is attacked in the nervous system?

12. What can be given if high probability of botulism and with signs or symptoms?

13. What may develop if someone eat food containing toxins?

14. Which symptom leads to the impassive faces , drooling as well as

dysarthria?

Complete each of the sentences, 15-20, with a word or short phrase from one
of the texts. Each answer may include words, numbers or both.

15. The treatment is depends on the...................of botulism?

16. ....................eyelids are one of the symptom of botulism?
17. As a result of high standards of .........................in UK ,the chances of getting
food born botulism are tiny?
18. Botulism needs to be treated in......................?
19. Double vision affecting both eyes is usually a symptom of......................?
20. The time for botulism takes to develop symptoms can vary from a few hours
to......................?

ANSWERS
1. B
2. B
3. A
4. D
5. A
6. C
7. D
8. CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM
9. HONEY
10. DISCHARGE OR CONTINUE TO MONITOR
11. PARALYSIS
12. ANTITOXINE
13. FOOD-BORN BOTULISM
14. FACIAL MUSCLE WEAKNESS
15. TYPE
16. DROOPING
17. FOOD HYGINE
18. HOSPITAL
19. A SQUINT