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Infant botulism type Ba: first culture-confirmed case in the United Arab Emirates

Waseem M Fathalla1, Khalid A Mohammed, Elamin Ahmed

  • 1Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. fatwas741@skmc.gov.ae

Pediatric Neurology
|August 30, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Infant botulism caused by rare Clostridium botulinum type Ba in a 3-month-old, not linked to honey, showed prolonged weakness. Early human botulism immune globulin treatment led to rapid recovery.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Infant botulism is a rare but serious condition caused by Clostridium botulinum spores.
  • Common sources include honey consumption, but non-honey related cases occur.
  • Clostridium botulinum type Ba is a rare toxin type.

Observation:

  • A 3-month-old infant presented with prolonged, fluctuating motor weakness and dependence on nasogastric feeding.
  • Neurophysiologic studies were normal, and there was no history of honey ingestion.
  • The infant was diagnosed with culture-confirmed infant botulism due to a rare double toxin-producing Clostridium botulinum type Ba.

Findings:

  • Despite normal neurophysiologic results and lack of honey exposure, infant botulism was confirmed.
  • Human botulism immune globulin (BIG-IV) was administered empirically on day 23.
  • Rapid and complete recovery was observed following BIG-IV administration.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering infant botulism diagnosis even with normal neurophysiologic tests and no honey history.
  • It highlights the efficacy of human botulism immune globulin in treating infant botulism, even when administered relatively late.
  • The successful treatment of a rare Clostridium botulinum type Ba infection suggests broader applicability of BIG-IV for diverse infant botulism etiologies.

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