Abstract
Clostridium botulinum is known to cause descending paralysis in infants throughout the world. The subject of this study was a three-month-old Costa Rican boy who was hospitalized because of poor suction and feeding, hypotonia, and constipation. Clinical history and physical examination findings suggested infant botulism. Samples were sent to the Winnipeg Public Health Laboratory, where Clostridium botulinum toxin A was identified by PCR and culture from the stools, making this the first report of infant botulism in Central America. Although infant botulism is a known disease, the limitations in identifying it in Central America contributes to the misdiagnosis and under-reporting of this disease.
Highlights
Clostridium botulinum is known to cause descending paralysis in infants throughout the world
Infant botulism (IB) is a neuroparalytic illness caused by the botulinum toxin of Clostridium botulinum
Honey consumption as a risk factor for IB has been reported in as much as 60% of cases in Europe and outside the United States; an important percentage has not been associated with honey consumption
Summary
Clostridium botulinum is known to cause descending paralysis in infants throughout the world. Honey consumption as a risk factor for IB has been reported in as much as 60% of cases in Europe and outside the United States; an important percentage has not been associated with honey consumption. Patients with IB who do not receive BIG-IV have been shown to have longer hospital and intensive care unit stays and more days of assisted mechanical ventilation [6].
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