[Type B botulism: a family outbreak]

Three cases of an outbreak of familial foodborne botulism are reported. The food incriminated could not be identified despite a careful investigation into the food history of the patients. The outcome was good following endotracheal ventilation and botulism antitoxin trivalent therapy.

In France, foodborne botulism is an uncommon public health disease, and with a good prognosis when the diagnosis is promptly performed. The value of emergency electromyographic findings is emphasized, particularly when the repetitive stimulation of the motor nerve shows a presynaptic block of neuromuscular transmission. Management depends on the symptomatology, and trivalent antitoxin therapy is the only specific treatment.