Foodborne Botulism in an Immunocompetent Adult Following the Consumption of a Prepackaged Soup

Botulism is a potentially fatal neuroparalytic disease that has historically been associated with outbreaks from improperly stored foods. Today, foodborne botulism in adults is rare. Because of its rarity, early symptoms may go unrecognized, leading to rapid disease progression. Prompt recognition and early administration of antitoxin are critical, as there is currently no agent that reverses the neurological damage caused by the toxin. In this case, botulism was associated with the consumption of a commercially prepackaged, non-canned soup, rather than the classic association with improperly canned foods. We also highlight the importance of early recognition and the diagnostic challenges in differentiating botulism from other neuroparalytic disorders.