Botulism, Other
1990 Case Definition

Clinical Description

Ingestion of botulinal 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 botulinal toxin in serum, stool, or patient's food, OR
• Isolation of Clostridium botulinum from stool

Confirmed

A clinically compatible illness that is laboratory confirmed or that occurs among persons who ate the same food as persons with laboratory-confirmed botulism

Comments

Botulism may be diagnosed without laboratory confirmation if the clinical and epidemiologic evidence is overwhelming.

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 botulinal toxin in stool, OR
• Isolation of Clostridium botulinum from stool

Confirmed

A clinically compatible, laboratory-confirmed illness occurring among children less than 1 year of age

Clinical Description

An illness resulting from toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum that has infected a wound.

Laboratory Criteria For Diagnosis

• Detection of botulinal toxin in serum, OR
• Isolation of Clostridium botulinum from wound

Confirmed

A clinically compatible illness that is laboratory confirmed among patients with no suspect food exposure and with a history of a fresh, contaminated wound in the 2 weeks before onset of symptoms