title: A continuing common-source outbreak of botulism in a family.
abstract: In December, 1974, three cases of botulism occurred in a family; two were fatal. The first patient died after a 10-day illness without botulism being suspected. 4 days later, after a 2-day illness, the second patient was diagnosed as having botulism after a cardiorespiratory arrest; she died 3 days later. In the third patient, the only symptom was dysphagia. Clostridium botulinum type B was found in stool specimens from all three patients. Home-canned (bottled) mushrooms, which were found to contain C. botulinum type B and its toxin, were believed to be responsible for the outbreak; mushrooms were found at necropsy in the gastrointestinal tracts of both patients who died. Heat treatment of the mushrooms during canning had been inadequate.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001904:Botulinum Antitoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001906:Botulism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D003014:Clostridium botulinum / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D005504:Food Analysis; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005519:Food Preservation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009145:Mushroom Poisoning / Q000235:genetics*; D009519:New York City
chemical_list: D001904:Botulinum Antitoxin; D001905:Botulinum Toxins