title: Human type A botulism and treatment with 3,4-diaminopyridine.
abstract: 3,4-diaminopyridine was evaluated for its ability to improve muscle strength, respiratory function and electromyographic compound muscle action potentials in human botulism. In a double blind, placebo controlled study, 3,4-diaminopyridine failed to improve these parameters in a 31-year old patient with severe food-borne type A botulism. The addition of an anti-cholinesterase medication to the 3,4-diaminopyridine did not add any benefit. Lack of clinical improvement from 3,4-diaminopyridine in this patient differed from some reports of benefit in animals experimentally poisoned with type A botulinum toxin.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Service, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bicknell
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: McEvoy
mesh_terms: D015761:4-Aminopyridine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D000077770:Amifampridine; D001906:Botulism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D015761:4-Aminopyridine; D000077770:Amifampridine