Botulism

Question 0

Causative agent

Answer 0

Clostridium botulim, anaerobic gram positive, endospore rodshape

Question 1

Symptoms

Answer 1

Blurred/double vision, weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, paralysis, respiratory insufficiency

Question 2

Pathogenesis

Answer 2

Endospores germinate food and release neurotoxins which are ingested and carried by the bloodstream to motor nerves, thus toxins act by blocking transmission of nerve signals to muscle= paralysis and colonize intestines or colon

Question 3

Epidemiology

Answer 3

Ingestion and contaminated home canned food/food that wasn’t fully heated. Spores widespread in soil, dust
Colonization of intestines in adults and infants with deficiencies, open wounds/dead tissue/ drug addicts

Question 4

Pt

Answer 4

Home canning methods, heating food to boiling
Enemas, hand washing, clean infected and open wounds, artificial restorations and intravenous administration of antitoxins