A case of food-borne botulısm by consumptıon of home-made canned red pepper: Importance of the botulısm antıtoxın therapy

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