How do you get botulism, the bacteria that killed Brazilians in the United States?

The specialist details symptoms, contamination, prevention and treatment; In the USA, cases of illness have been recorded after the use of fake Botox.

Brazilian Cláudia Celada de Albuquerque, 23, has become the topic of conversation in recent weeks after falling victim to a botulism infection. She was on exchange in Aspen, when she had to be transferred and hospitalized in Denver, Colorado (USA), where she has been for more than 50 days.

Cláudia’s family says they don’t know where the young girl contracted the infection. In an interview with Earththe infectologist of Fleury Medicina e Saúde, Matias Chiarastelli Salomão, states that botulism is a rare but potentially serious condition, caused by the toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

It is suspected based on symptoms, neurologic evaluation and diet, or recent injury history. Specific tests are carried out to detect botulinum toxin in the blood, but they must be carried out quickly, since after eight days the toxin may no longer circulate in the blood.

If necessary, testing for the toxin can be done in feces or stomach contents. “Electromyography can be used to evaluate muscle activity and assist in diagnosis. In newborns and in cases of injuries, culture can be used to isolate bacteria,” says the professional.

The specialist emphasizes that if botulism is suspected, it is important to contact your doctor immediately, as early treatment is essential to avoid serious complications.

Any suspicion of the disease must also be reported to the Epidemiological Surveillance Service for preventive measures, such as removing contaminated products from shelves or suspending the activities of the establishments involved.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of botulism include:

• Muscle weakness, usually starting in the face, and affecting the muscles that control speech, chewing, and swallowing.
• Blurred or double vision.
• Dry mouth.
• Difficulty swallowing and speaking.
• Descending paralysis, which affects the respiratory muscles and leads to breathing difficulties.

Contamination

The infectious disease specialist explains that botulism is generally contracted by eating contaminated foods, such as homemade preserves, where the bacterial spores release the toxin.

Infant botulism can occur through ingestion of products containing spores, such as honey, where the toxin is produced in the baby’s intestines, causing symptoms after 3 to 30 days.

The bacteria can also enter the body through wounds, finding conditions favorable to the production of the toxin, similar to tetanus, with symptoms appearing 4 to 14 days after the injury.

“Furthermore, botulism is not contagious between people,” underlines the doctor.

Treatment

Regardless of how the disease is contracted, a patient with botulism requires hospital care in an intensive care unit for several weeks.

According to the doctor, this is essential to ensure vital functions, eliminate toxins from the body and restore normal breathing, often through artificial ventilation.

In cases diagnosed early, when the toxin is still circulating, adults receive antibotulinum serum to neutralize the toxin and prevent the condition from worsening. However, this treatment does not reverse existing paralysis.

The use of serum is not recommended for children, as the toxin tends to concentrate in their intestines, making it more effective in stimulating its elimination.

“The patient’s recovery is a gradual process, since the biological poison present between the nerve cells must be eliminated by the immune system,” adds the specialist.

After discharge from the hospital, the patient requires medical and physiotherapy monitoring to regain motor and functional skills, such as breathing, speaking, walking and writing.

How to prevent?

Preventing botulism is possible through simple measures, such as avoiding the consumption of deteriorated or poorly packaged canned or pickled products, regardless of whether they have expired.

Additionally, the infectious disease specialist recommends boiling unprocessed stored foods for at least 10 minutes before consuming them, as the heat can destroy any toxin that may be present.

To prevent infant botulism, it is essential to avoid the use of honey in baby food during the first year of life, when the intestinal flora is not yet fully developed to fight these pathogens.

“Additionally, wounds should be promptly cleaned with soap and water and treated with local antiseptics to prevent infections, which also helps prevent tetanus in unvaccinated people,” says Salomão.

Complications

Complications of botulism can be serious and include difficulty breathing, problems swallowing, generalized muscle weakness, and paralysis. Treatment depends on the severity of the complications:

Respiratory difficulties: They may require the use of mechanical ventilators to assist with breathing until lung function returns.

Swallowing problems: In more severe cases, tube feeding may be necessary to prevent aspiration of food or liquids.

Muscle weakness and paralysis: The main treatment involves early administration of botulinum antitoxin to neutralize the circulating toxin and prevent progression of paralysis. However, the antitoxin does not reverse existing paralysis, requiring medical and physiotherapy support to help recover muscle function.

Additionally, patients may need supportive care such as intravenous hydration and constant monitoring of respiratory and cardiac function. In more severe cases, full recovery may take weeks or even months, and long-term medical monitoring may be necessary to facilitate rehabilitation and prevent further complications.

In the United States, cases similar to botulism have been recorded due to the application of fake Botox

The North American website New York Post reported that people in several states across the country – including Illinois, Colorado, Kentucky, Washington and Tennessee – experienced “botulism-like symptoms” after receiving injections of counterfeit Botox. Two cases of hospitalization occurred in Illinois and Tennessee.

The infectious disease specialist states that in principle there is no risk of botulism in aesthetic or therapeutic interventions using botulinum toxin (botox), since the quantity used is lower than that produced by the bacteria.

The investigation into the origin of these products is ongoing and tests on five patients have given negative results for botulism.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.