Food poisoning and botulinism

Question 1

Food poisoning:

Source, etiology

Symptoms

Therapy

Answer 1

Etiology:

• Consumption of food infected with:
  
  • Staphylococci, Salmonella, Proteus vulgaris, E. Coli, B. Cereus

Symptoms:

• Severe gastroenteritis
• Vomitins
• Fever
• Hypovolemia

Therapy:

• Gastric lavage
• Activated charcoal
• Replacement of volume and electrolytes

Question 2

Lethal dose of botulotoxin?

Answer 2

0.001-0.002 mg/kg

Question 3

Mechanism of action of botulotoxin?

Answer 3

Inhibition of ACh release

Long latency time: 12-36h

Question 4

Symptoms?

Answer 4

• Diarrhea (1st) –> paralytic ileus
• Ptosis, dilation of pupils
• Salivation –> stop secretion
• Aphasis –> aspiration –> pneumonia
• Bladder atony
• Paralysis of skeletal muscle (ultimately respiratory failure)

Question 5

Therapy of botulinism?

Answer 5

• Antitoxin (A, B, E)
• Purging with castor oil + neostigmin
• Transfusion

Question 6

Infant botulinism:

Pathogenesis

Symptoms

Answer 6

Pathogenesis:

• Affect children between 3 weeks and 6 months of age
• Ingestion of spores –> germination in intestines –> toxin production

Symptoms:

• Constipation, poor feeding
• Decreased activity, generalized muscle weakness
• Weak cry
• Decreased reflexes
• Dilated pupils that don’t respond to light
• Paralysis (may include eye muscles)

Lasts for 2-6 weeks usually with complete recovery!