Abstract
Background: Botulinum toxins (BoNT) type A, B, E, F may induce a serious neuroparalytic illness in humans. Botulism can be transmitted via three routes: foodborne, wound and intestinal (in situ toxemia generally observed in infants and/or in immunocompromised adults) botulism. Case Report: A case of human botulism type B due to the consumption of an imported dried ham is reported. Laboratory results confirmed the diagnosis using the mouse bioassay and the qPCR method. Botulinum toxin was still detected in the serum up to 29 days after food consumption while it was not detected anymore in the faeces. Conclusion: The described case highlights i) prolonged presence of BoNT B in the serum and ii) the risks related to the preparation of artisanal products as well as the importance of an efficient communication to citizens regarding preservation methods of household products.
Highlights
Human botulism is rare with only 19 cases reported in Belgium from 1988 to 2016
Five batches of samples were sent to the laboratory (Fig. 1) for detection of Botulinum toxins (BoNT) and/or BoNT-producing C. botulinum
Mouse Bioassay (MBA)1 + Seroneutralisation (SN) and Enrichment followed by qPCR BoNT (MBA) + SN ABE-F BoNT (MBA) + SN B BoNT (MBA) + SN B BoNT (MBA) + SN ABE-F C. botulinum (MBA after enrichment) BoNT gene BoNT (MBA with trypsin treatment)
Summary
Botulinum toxins (BoNT) type A, B, E, F may induce a serious neuroparalytic illness in humans. Botulism can be transmitted via three routes: foodborne, wound and intestinal (in situ toxemia generally observed in infants and/or in immunocompromised adults) botulism. A case of human botulism type B due to the consumption of an imported dried ham is reported. Laboratory results confirmed the diagnosis using the mouse bioassay and the qPCR method. Botulinum toxin was still detected in the serum up to 29 days after food consumption while it was not detected anymore in the faeces
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