title: An outbreak of foodborne botulism associated with food sold at a salvage store in Texas.
abstract: Foodborne botulism is caused by potent neurotoxins of Clostridium botulinum. We investigated a large outbreak of foodborne botulism among church supper attendees in Texas. We conducted a cohort study of attendees and investigated the salvage store that sold the implicated foods. We identified 15 cases of botulism (40%) among 38 church supper attendees. Nine patients (60%) had botulinum toxin type A detected in stool specimens. The diagnosis was delayed in 3 cases. Fifteen (63%) of 24 attendees who ate a chili dish developed botulism (relative risk, undefined; P<.001). The chili dish was prepared with "brand X" or "brand Y" frozen chili, "brand Z" canned chili, and hot dogs. An unopened container of brand X chili yielded type A toxin. Brand X chili was purchased at a salvage store where perishable foods were inadequately refrigerated. Our investigation highlights the need to improve clinicians' awareness of botulism. More rigorous and more unannounced inspections may be necessary to detect food mishandling at salvage stores.
authors: Epidemic Intelligence Service, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30030, USA. pkalluri@cdc.gov
authors: Pavani
authors: P
authors: Kalluri
authors: Colleen
authors: C
authors: Crowe
authors: Megan
authors: M
authors: Reller
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Gaul
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Hayslett
authors: Suzanne
authors: S
authors: Barth
authors: Stacey
authors: S
authors: Eliasberg
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Ferreira
authors: Kristin
authors: K
authors: Holt
authors: Steve
authors: S
authors: Bengston
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Hendricks
authors: Jeremy
authors: J
authors: Sobel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001906:Botulism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003014:Clostridium botulinum; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005506:Food Contamination; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology