Case Report on Clinical Presentation of Foodborne Botulism

Botulism is an extremely dangerous infection caused by consuming food containing the botulinum toxin. It is classified as a foodborne toxic infection. Although botulism is relatively rare, it remains a significant health concern because it is difficult to diagnose, often resulting in late diagnoses and frequent fatal outcomes. Paresis and paralysis of smooth and skeletal muscles during botulinum toxin exposure often confuse healthcare professionals, leading to misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment.

The article presents a case report of botulism in a female patient who was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at the Botkin Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital in 2024. The report clearly illustrates the clinical and laboratory challenges of diagnosing and treating this disease.

The clinical presentation of botulism is similar to that of various infectious and non-infectious diseases. This underscores the importance of raising awareness and organizing health education initiatives, especially in primary outpatient settings, to encourage medical specialists to remain vigilant about botulism. It is crucial to educate the population systematically about the dangers of consuming improperly produced or stored canned foods in order to significantly reduce rates of botulism.