Botulism

Question 1

Presentation

Answer 1

• sudden onset generalised neuromuscular weakness affecting all limbs

Question 2

Diagnosis

Answer 2

• no definitive diagnostic test, but if seen eating dead wildfowl then presumptive diagnosis

Question 3

Tx & prognosis

Answer 3

• conservative & supportive tx
• prognosis dependent on severity, if resp muscle involved then poor prognosis, if not then generally good

Question 4

Prevalence

Answer 4

• very rare
• difficult to differentiate from IPRN (which is treated the same and has the same prognosis)