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• Infectious Lecture Notes - Eneutron
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Definition :

Life threatening infectious disease characterized with intoxication of organism with principal damage to Central & Vegetative Nervous System.

Etiology :

1. Causing Agent - Clostridium botulinum (Spore).
2. Gram positive & anaerobic.
3. Eight immunological distinct toxins - A, B, C, D, E, F, G.
4. The agent is mobile, heat resistant (100° C).
5. They produce Neurotoxic (Protein with 19 amino acids).

Epidemiology :

1. C.botulinum is seen more in the soil, grass feeding animals, fish.
2. The humans are infected by botulism due to use of contaminated food by spores.
3. Use of canned foods like Mushrooms, vegetables, fish and meat.

Clinical Features :

1. Incubation Period : 2–12 hours till 10 days
2. Nausea, vomiting & Diarrhea
3. Dryness of mouth
4. Vision disorders, ‘net’ or ‘fog’ in front of eyes. Patients cannot read. Limitation of eye motion.
5. Widening of heart borders & muffed heart sounds.
6. Paralysis of muscles of Neck and chest.

Diagnosis :

1. Toxins and agents may be revealed in blood, vomiting masses, water after irrigation of stomach and in stool.

Treatment :

1. First aid - Lavage of stomach and intestine with 2–5% of solution of Sodium Carbonate.
2. After lavaging enterosorbent - SKN, enterodes, Sillard P are prescribed.
3. Medical antibotulism serums are injected (4–6 doses in serious cases)
4. For suppression of infection Antibiotics are prescribed (Ampicillin, amoxicillin, levomycetin)
5. To treat prophylaxis, Prednisilone (40 mg/day) is given.