Clostridium Botulinum Information

Clostridium Botulinum can only be seen with a microscope.

Clostridium botulinum is the name applied to a group of bacteria. These are anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria that are normally found in soil. Four of the seven types of Clostridium botulinum produce a neurotoxin that is dangerous to humans.

Botulism

Exposure to Clostridium botulinum can result in the condition called botulism. Botulism is a paralytic condition that can prove fatal.

Methods of Exposure

The most common methods of adult exposure are through consuming foods that carry Clostridium botulinum or wounds being infected with the bacteria. Infant exposure, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports is the most common type of exposure, frequently comes from soil exposure or honey.

Effects of Exposure

The effects of exposure to the Clostridium botulinum bacteria can include blurred or double vision, slurred speech, muscle weakness and problems swallowing. These effects normally set in within 18 to 36 hours.

Treatment

Depending on how quickly the exposure is diagnosed, treatments range from an antitoxin, time on a ventilator, and surgery to remove infected tissue for wound botulism. Antibiotics are also administered for surgical treatment.

Prevalence

Exposure to Clostridium botulinum that induces illness is extremely rare. According to the CDC, there are approximately 145 cases of Clostridium botulinum induced illnesses in a given year.

References

• Disease Listing: Botulism General Information
• BBB: Clostridium botulinum