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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
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Isolation and Quantification of Botulinum Neurotoxin From Complex Matrices Using the BoTest Matrix Assays
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[Botulism in an infant]
Allan Bybeck Nielsen1, Sannie Brit Nordly, Marianne Engel Clausen
1Hvidovre Hospital, Infektionsmedicinsk Afdeling og Børneafdelingen, og Statens Serum Institut, Denmark. allan@bybeck.dk
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|June 24, 2010
Summary
A rare case of infant botulism in a 4.5-month-old girl was successfully treated with botulism immune globulin (BIG-IV). The infant recovered fully without needing mechanical ventilation, highlighting BIG-IV as a critical treatment for this serious condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infant botulism is a rare but serious neuroparalytic illness caused by Clostridium botulinum spores.
- Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for favorable outcomes in affected infants.
Observation:
- A 4.5-month-old female infant presented with symptoms consistent with botulism.
- The infant required hospitalization for 19 days, necessitating nasogastric tube feeding.
- Mechanical ventilation was not required during the course of the illness.
Findings:
- Intravenous administration of botulism immune globulin (BIG-IV) led to complete recovery.
- Despite investigations, the source of botulism, such as contaminated food or honey ingestion, was not identified.
- A recalled batch of canned baby food, though suspected, showed no contamination.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering infant botulism in the differential diagnosis of neuromuscular weakness in infants.
- Prompt treatment with BIG-IV can lead to excellent outcomes, even in severe cases.
- Further research into the sources of infant botulism is warranted to improve prevention strategies.
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