Global Occurrence of Infant Botulism, 1976–2006
- 1 July 2008
- journal article
- Published by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in PEDIATRICS
- Vol. 122 (1), e73-e82
- https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2007-1827
Abstract
OBJECTIVE. To summarize the worldwide occurrence of reported infant (intestinal toxemia) botulism cases since first recognition of the disease in 1976.PATIENTS AND METHODS. We collected information on infant botulism cases by active and passive surveillance, by provision of therapeutic Human Botulism Immune Globulin to suspected cases, and by searching the medical literature. We defined a case as laboratory-confirmed botulism that occurred in an infant ≤12 months of age that was not caused by the ingestion of botulinum toxin in food.RESULTS. Twenty-six countries representing 5 continents reported the occurrence of at least 1 case of infant botulism among their residents. The United States, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Italy, and Japan, in this order, reported the largest number of cases. A history of honey exposure was significantly more common among case subjects hospitalized outside of the United States than among those who were recently hospitalized in California.CONCLUSIONS. Most countries have not yet reported cases of infant botulism. This limited reporting of the disease to date contrasts with the known global occurrence of Clostridium botulinum spores in soils and dust and suggests that infant botulism may be underrecognized, underreported, or both. When bulbar palsies, hypotonia, and weakness are present, physicians should consider the possibility of infant botulism even if the patient has not been fed honey. Publication of additional case reports and surveillance summaries will enhance understanding of the occurrence and extent of this underrecognized disease.Keywords
This publication has 62 references indexed in Scilit:
- Intestinal toxemia botulism in Italy, 1984–2005European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 2007
- Toxi-infection botulique chez un nouveau-néArchives de Pédiatrie, 2006
- Human Botulism Immune Globulin for the Treatment of Infant BotulismThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2006
- A severe case of infant botulism caused by Clostridium botulinum type A with concomitant intestinal viral infectionsEuropean Journal of Pediatrics, 2004
- A Case of Infant Botulism due to Neurotoxigenic Clostridium butyricum Type E Associated with Clostridium difficile ColitisEuropean Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, 2002
- Occurrence ofClostridium botulinum in the soil of the vicinity of RomeCurrent Microbiology, 1990
- Infantile botulism.Archives of Disease in Childhood, 1989
- Clostridium botulinum in soil on the site of the former Metropolitan (Caledonian) Cattle Market, LondonEpidemiology and Infection, 1979
- Honey and other environmental risk factors for infant botulismThe Journal of Pediatrics, 1979
- Clostridium botulinum in Sweden and the Adjacent WatersJournal of Applied Bacteriology, 1963