ISSN 2329-9835
International Journal of Diseases and Disorders ISSN 2329-9835 Vol. 3 (7), pp. 001-004, July, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
A case of food-borne botulısm by consumptıon of home-made canned red pepper: Importance of the botulısm antıtoxın therapy
Ahmet AĞAÇAYAK*
Refik Saydam Hygiene Center, Ankara/Turkey. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +90 312 458 22 10. Fax: +90 312 458 24 61.
Accepted 24 March, 2015
Abstract
Botulism is a rare but severe neuroparalytic disease, caused by Clostridium botulinum toxins. Botulinium toxin is one of the most potent toxins in nature. Foodborne botulism is caused by foods particularly canned foods (home/commercial) but also by sausages, meat products and seafoods. Here we described four adult foodborne poisoning cases caused by home-made canned red pepper. Intensive care monitoring and antitoxin therapy were initialised immediately. After the patients were intubated and antitoxins administered, symptoms improved in two days for one patient, seven days in another and twenty-one days in the remaining two patients. Rapid improvement of symptoms is thought to be related to intensive care and antitoxin therapy.
Key words: Botulinum ıntoxication, foodborne botulism, Clostridium botulinum, toxin, antitoxin.