Shot by a Gun … Missed by a Provider

Botulism is a paralytic disease caused by the neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. The majority of cases are due to ingestion or injection drug use. Wound botulism from traumatic injury is exceedingly rare, with only one to two cases reported each year in the United States.

A 27-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department with diplopia, dysphagia, and progressive weakness 10 days after sustaining a gunshot wound to his right lower leg. He had been evaluated for the same complaints at a different facility the day prior and was discharged. His wound appeared well-healing, but a high suspicion for wound botulism led to rapid consultation with the state Poison Control Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The patient developed worsening respiratory insufficiency and required mechanical ventilation. Expeditious treatment with equine heptavalent botulinum antitoxin resulted in significant recovery of strength in 4 days. Serum toxin bioassay tested positive for botulinum neurotoxin type A. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Wound botulism now accounts for the majority of adult botulism in the United States. It should be considered in any patient with signs of neuromuscular disease and a recent injury, even if the wound appears uninfected.