Wound botulism in drug addicts in the United Kingdom.
Clostridium novyi has recently been identified as the causative organism responsible for the deaths of 35 heroin addicts who had injected themselves intramuscularly. We present two heroin addicts who developed C. botulinum infection following intramuscular or subcutaneous injection of heroin. Like C. novyi, this grows under anaerobic conditions and clinical presentation may be similar; however, descending motor or autonomic signs are invariably present in botulism. The prognosis is good if the diagnosis is made early and appropriate treatment commenced.
Mulleague
L
L
Intensive Care Unit, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
Bonner
S M
SM
Samuel
A
A
Nichols
P
P
Khan
M
M
Shaw
S
S
Grüning
T
T
D000328:Adult; D001904:Botulinum Antitoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001906:Botulism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D003932:Heroin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
D001904:Botulinum Antitoxin; D010406:Penicillins; D003932:Heroin; D010400:Penicillin G