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Infant botulism in Costa Rica: first report from Central America

Marcela Hernández-de Mezerville1, Mariela Rojas-Solano, Alfonso Gutierrez-Mata

  • 1Hospital Nacional de Niños de Costa Rica Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera, San José, Costa Rica. marcelahdm@gmail.com.

Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
|January 16, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Infant botulism, caused by Clostridium botulinum, was diagnosed in a Costa Rican infant. This marks the first documented case in Central America, highlighting diagnostic challenges in the region.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Infant botulism is a rare but serious condition caused by Clostridium botulinum toxin.
  • The disease manifests as descending paralysis, affecting infants globally.

Observation:

  • A three-month-old boy in Costa Rica presented with symptoms including poor feeding, hypotonia, and constipation.
  • Clinical presentation strongly suggested infant botulism.

Findings:

  • Diagnostic samples confirmed the presence of Clostridium botulinum toxin A via PCR and culture.
  • This represents the first confirmed case of infant botulism in Central America.

Implications:

  • The identification of infant botulism in Central America underscores the need for increased awareness and improved diagnostic capabilities.
  • Limitations in diagnosis may lead to under-reporting and misdiagnosis of this condition in the region.
Abstract

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