What is botulism?

Also known as: Botulinum toxin, botulinus intoxication, food poisoning.

Botulism is an illness caused by a toxin produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum that normally live in the soil, dust and cooked agricultural products.

There are 3 clinical presentations:

• foodborne, with food poisoning
• wound botulism
• infant botulism.

Botulinum toxin is the most potent toxin known and can cause death in tiny amounts.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM