Severe botulism after eating home-preserved asparagus.
OBJECTIVE
To present a case of adult botulism acquired in Queensland.


METHODS
After eating home-preserved asparagus, a 33-year-old man presented with internal and external ophthalmoplegia, bilateral facial nerve palsies, and descending muscle weakness culminating in a sudden respiratory arrest. Electrophysiological testing demonstrated normal nerve conduction velocities and an incremental response of evoked motor potentials on repetitive stimulation, confirming the clinical diagnosis of botulism.


RESULTS
Treatment with trivalent antitoxin, oral treatment with vancomycin and supportive mechanical ventilation for four weeks resulted in complete clinical recovery. Plasmapheresis was also used but its contribution to the patient's improvement is dubious.


CONCLUSIONS
Although botulism is rare in Australia, clinicians should be aware of the clinical presentation and the rapidity of confirmation of the diagnosis by electrophysiological testing. Patients should be nursed in an intensive care setting. Regular testing of vital capacity should be performed to determine the need for mechanical ventilation.
Paterson
D L
DL
Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Qld.
King
M A
MA
Boyle
R S
RS
Pond
S M
SM
Whitby
M
M
Wright
M
M
Henderson
A
A
D000328:Adult; D001904:Botulinum Antitoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001906:Botulism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005519:Food Preservation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009886:Ophthalmoplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014675:Vegetables / Q000009:adverse effects*
D001904:Botulinum Antitoxin; D014640:Vancomycin