Classification: ICD-9 005.1; ICD-10 A05.1
Syndromes and synonyms: None.
Agent: Botulinum toxin, produced by the anerobic spore-forming bacterium Clostridium botulinum types A, B, E and rarely F. Type E and F neurotoxins have been recovered from infants with botulism due to C. butyricum and C. barati. C. botulinum is considered a biological warfare agent.
Reservoir: C. botulinum spores are found in soil, dust, honey, marine sediments, and in intestines of fish and land animals.
Vector: None.
Transmission: By ingestion of contaminated food (honey in infant botulism), injection of contaminated drugs, or contamination of wounds by soil, dust or gravel. There is no human-to-human transmission.
Incubation period: Usually 12–36 hours; sometimes several days; up to 2 weeks for wound botulism.
Clinical findings
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