PMCCPMCCPMCC

Search tips
Search criteria 

Advanced

 
Logo of bmjcrInstructions for authorsCurrent ToCBMJ Case Reports
 
BMJ Case Rep. 2010; 2010: bcr0520103038.
Published online 2010 September 29. doi:  10.1136/bcr.05.2010.3038
PMCID: PMC3028016
Rare disease
The hazards of honey: infantile botulism
Jennifer K Smith,1 Sarah Burns,2 Steve Cunningham,3 Julie Freeman,2 Ailsa McLellan,4 and Kenneth McWilliam4
1Department of Paediatrics, RHSC Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
2PICU, RHSC Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
3Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, RHSC Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
4Department of Neurology, RHSC Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
Correspondence to Jennifer K Smith, jennifer.k.smith/at/luht.scot.nhs.uk
Abstract
Infantile botulism is a rare cause of neuromuscular weakness resulting from ingestion of Clostridium botulinum—an anaerobic Gram-positive bacillus found universally in soil. The only definite food source known to cause infantile botulism is honey; previously, links to formula milk have been postulated but not definitely sourced. We present an interesting case report of a 2-month-old infant with this rare condition, including the diagnostic difficulties that ensued. A brief overview of the condition follows. This is the first case in the UK in which C botulinum was successfully isolated from both the patient and the suspected source—a jar of honey. The importance of food labelling as a public health message is highlighted.
Articles from BMJ Case Reports are provided here courtesy of
BMJ Group