Clinical cases of atypical and severe botulism

Abstract

The aim of the work was to present two clinical cases of botulism: the atypical course and the severe course with late administration of heptavalent botulinum antitoxin, which still had a significant positive clinical effect and contributed to a faster recovery of patients. The modern scientific literature regarding botulism was analyzed, hospital records of patients with botulism were presented. Conclusions. Characteristic symptoms of botulism are sometimes absent, for example, the inability to read the fine print, which is a significant challenge in diagnosing the disease. Atonic tetraparesis, dysmetabolic polyneuropathy of the lower extremities may be occasionally developed as a complication of botulism. In suspected case of botulism, even with a fuzzy epidemiological anamnesis and an unusual clinical picture, a targeted, specific examination and immediate administration of antitoxins are indicated. The heptavalent botulinum antitoxin has a significant clinical effect, contributes to recovery even at the late stages of a patient hospitalization.

Keywords

• botulism
• ophthalmoplegia
• diagnosis
• antitoxins
• treatment