title: One collective case of type A foodborne botulism in Corsica.
abstract: Foodborne botulism is rare in 21st century Western Europe. The purpose of this report is to describe a collective case of type A botulism caused by ingestion of artisanal-produced food (canned green beans and/or salted roast pork). Five of the seven persons who shared the meal presented signs of severe intoxication leading to the fatal respiratory failure in one 18-year-old girl. Three patients required mechanical ventilation for durations ranging from 37 to 78 days and developed severe infectious, respiratory and/or psychiatric complications. In 4 out of the 5 patients, trivalent antitoxin was administered between days 2 and 7 but did not avoid the need for long-term intubation/mechanical ventilation. Treatment with 3,4-diaminopyridine was ineffective in the 26-year-old man who required long-term breathing assistance. This case of collective foodborne botulism illustrates the potential severity of this hazard.
authors.affiliation: Réanimation polyvalente, Centre hospitalier général, 20600 Bastia, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Oriot
authors.forename: Erwan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: D'Aranda
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castanier
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glaizal
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Galy
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Faivre
authors.forename: Elodie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Poisnel
authors.forename: Thank-Kiet
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Truong
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mercury
authors.forename: Maryvonne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hayek-Lanthois
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Papazian
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Haro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001906:Botulism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult