Content Source:
Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology
Botulism (Clostridium botulinum)
1996 Case Definition
Botulism (Clostridium botulinum)
1996 Case Definition
1996 Case Definition
Subtype(s)
- Botulism, foodborne
- Botulism, infant
- Botulism, wound
- Botulism, other
Subtype(s) Case Definition
Clinical Description
Ingestion of botulinum toxin results in an illness of variable severity. Common symptoms are diplopia, blurred vision, and bulbar weakness. Symmetric paralysis may progress rapidly.
Laboratory Criteria For Diagnosis
- Detection of botulinum toxin in serum, stool, or patient's food, OR
- Isolation of Clostridium botulinum from stool
Case Classification
Probable
A clinically compatible case with an epidemiologic link (e.g., ingestion of a home-canned food within the previous 48 hours)
Confirmed
A clinically compatible case that is laboratory confirmed or that occurs among persons who ate the same food as persons who have laboratory-confirmed botulism
Clinical Description
An illness of infants, characterized by constipation, poor feeding, and "failure to thrive" that may be followed by progressive weakness, impaired respiration, and death
Laboratory Criteria For Diagnosis
- Detection of botulinum toxin in stool or serum, OR
- Isolation of Clostridium botulinum from stool
Case Classification
Confirmed
A clinically compatible case that is laboratory-confirmed, occurring in a child aged less than 1 year
Clinical Description
An illness resulting from toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum that has infected a wound. Common symptoms are diplopia, blurred vision, and bulbar weakness. Symmetric paralysis may progress rapidly
Laboratory Criteria For Diagnosis
- Detection of botulinum toxin in serum, OR
- Isolation of Clostridium botulinum from wound
Case Classification
Confirmed
A clinically compatible case that is laboratory confirmed in a patient who has no suspected exposure to contaminated food and who has a history of a fresh, contaminated wound during the 2 weeks before onset of symptoms
Clinical Description
Common symptoms are diplopia, blurred vision, and bulbar weakness. Symmetric paralysis may progress rapidly.
Laboratory Criteria For Diagnosis
- Detection of botulinum toxin in clinical specimen, OR
- Isolation of Clostridium botulinum from clinical specimen
Case Classification
Confirmed
A clinically compatible case that is laboratory confirmed in a patient aged greater than or equal to 1 year who has no history of ingestion of suspect food and has no wounds
Comments
The 1996 case definition appearing on this page was re-published in the 2009 CSTE position statement 09-ID-29. Thus, the 1996 and 2010 versions of the case definition are identical.