https://doi.org/10.4081/ecj.2024.12322
A rare symptom of foodborne botulism: dysgeusia. Case report and clinical review
Submitted: 30 January 2024
Accepted: 26 March 2024
Published: 9 April 2024
Accepted: 26 March 2024
Abstract Views: 615
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Authors
Clostridium botulinum has become one of the most well-known microorganisms in medical history, thanks to both fatal botulism epidemics and the recent medical use of botulinum neurotoxin. It is a Gram-positive, anaerobic, spore-forming bacterium that causes classic foodborne botulism, infant botulism, wound botulism, and intestinal colonization botulism, a serious neuroparalytic disease. The most common type of botulism is foodborne botulism, which is caused by eating botulinum toxin-contaminated foods. Just a few micrograms of toxin are enough to cause symptoms and, if untreated, death. Rapid diagnosis of the condition is critical to avoiding fatal outcomes. This article describes a clinical case of a patient who presented to us in June with typical symptoms of botulism. Early clinical diagnosis is based on a thorough medical history, including a meticulous reconstruction of the patient's food history in the days preceding symptom onset, as well as a careful physical examination, which can be highly suggestive of botulinum intoxication. Botulism treatment consists of symptom control, mechanical respiratory support, and Botulinum Antitoxin (BAT) administered intravenously. Epidemiological investigation is critical for quickly identifying the food vehicle causing the intoxication.
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How to Cite
Esposito, S., Coletta, F., Di Maiolo, G., Lo Chiatto, F., Rinaldi, P., Lanza, A., Panico, G., Sala, C., Tomasello, A., & Villani, R. (2024). A rare symptom of foodborne botulism: dysgeusia. Case report and clinical review. Emergency Care Journal, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/ecj.2024.12322
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