Two cases of foodborne botulism type E and review of epidemiology in France.
In 1999, two new cases of type E botulism were observed in French hospitals. Since this type of botulism is uncommon in France, the cases prompted a national epidemiological study. Sixteen cases of type E botulism, including the two cases reported here, occurred between 1952 and 1999. The clinical and treatment characteristics of all cases were evaluated, and the results suggest that, despite its rarity, type E botulism should be considered by clinicians in France. Changes in the eating habits of people in France, as in the rest of Europe, with the increased consumption of vacuum-packed fish from endemic areas and decreased consumption of local foodstuffs, could explain the occurrence of the most recent cases.
Boyer
A
A
Service de Réanimation Médicale, H pital Charles Nicolle, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Rouen, France.
Girault
C
C
Bauer
F
F
Korach
J M
JM
Salomon
J
J
Moirot
E
E
Leroy
J
J
Bonmarchand
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001906:Botulism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005399:Fishes; D005519:Food Preservation; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans