[Type B botulism: a family outbreak].
METHODS
Three cases of an outbreak of familial foodborne botulism are reported. The food incriminated could not be identified despite a careful investigation into the food history of the patients. The outcome was good following endotracheal ventilation and botulism antitoxin trivalent therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
In France, foodborne botulism is an uncommon public health disease, and with a good prognosis when the diagnosis is promptly performed. The value of emergency electromyographic findings is emphasized, particularly when the repetitive stimulation of the motor nerve shows a presynaptic block of neuromuscular transmission. Management depends on the symptomatology, and trivalent antitoxin therapy is the only specific treatment.
Service de réanimation pédiatrique, hôpital Bicêtre, 78, avenue du Général-Leclerc, 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
G
G
Lamboley
R
R
Mandel
S
S
Müller
P
P
Douard
S
S
Métral
P
P
Durand
D000328:Adult; D000992:Antitoxins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001906:Botulism / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004576:Electromyography; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male
D000992:Antitoxins