A Survey on the Clinical Presentations in Food-borne Botulism for Patients Refering to Razi Hospital During 2001-2006

Background: Botulism is caused by a neurotoxin produced from the anaerobic, spore forming Bacterium clostridium. Food-borne botulism is one of the dangerous forms of food poisoning in the world. The purpose of this study was to survey some clinical presentations and laboratory findings in patients suspected with botulism toxicity that had received anti-botulism. Methods: This descriptive-retrospective study was done on food-borne botulism poisoning cases admitted to the emergency ward and received anti-botulism at Razi Hospital of Rasht (north of Iran) during 2001-6. Completion of the questionnaire which included such variables as gender, age, clinical presentations, and laboratory data was based on the information available on the patients. Results: Of the 31 patients that had taken anti botulism, 20 cases (64.5%) were male. Subjects were in age range of 19-55 and the mean of age was 34.5 years. Conserved foods (38.7%), salted caviar (32.3%), and fish (16.3%) were the main causes of botulism, respectively. The most common clinical symptom was vomiting (77.4%) and the most common neurological presentations were visual abnormalities (48.4%). Azotemia, leukocytosis, and leukopenia were seen in 3 cases (9.7%), in 2 cases (6.5%), and in 4 cases (12.9%), respectively. Conclusion: Marine products (salted caviar and fish) have an important role in the incidence of botulism in Guilan. Botulism is seen in males more than females and its most common clinical manifestation is vomiting.