Infant Botulism: a network to improve the diagnosis and treatment of a rare and under-diagnosed disease

Abstract

Infant Botulism is a form of human botulism in which ingested spores of Clostridium botulinum germinate, colonize the infant’s colon, in which they produce botulinum neurotoxin. After the toxin is absorbed, binding to peripheral cholinergic synapses occurs, causing flaccid paralysis. The incidence of infant botulism is low, but some underestimation is likely to exist: the disease is difficult to diagnose because its wide spectrum of clinical manifestations which are not pathognomic. Moreover, failure to recognise the disease is probably related to the low index of suspicion: in fact, the experience of clinicians is fundamental in recognising infant botulism. A specific project has been promote to improve knowledge of the disease by training physicians (pediatricians, neurologists, clinical toxicologists) to look out for the possible presence of Infant Botulism cases and improving public awareness through a prevention program. Standardization of therapeutic protocol also by treatment with specific therapeutic measures will be disseminated. A staff of physicians specialized in Clinical Toxicology will be available, 24 hours a day and seven days/week in the Pavia Poison Centre – National Toxicology Information Center. According to the project, this Centre acts as Reference Center for the clinical diagnosis and the treatment of infant botulism for the correct recognition of typical syndrome, the early diagnosis and the possible therapy with particular attention to antidotic treatment. The National Reference Centre for Botulism at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità will offer a 24-hours diagnostic laboratory service to support diagnose in suspected cases of botulism.