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Botulism as a cause of respiratory failure in injecting drug users

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Abstract

Background Wound botulism occurs as a consequence of inoculation of Clostridium botulinum spores into a wound.

Aim To describe such a case of wound botulism. Results A 23-year-old drug-injecting user presented with bulbar symptoms and progressive signs over a three-day period. The diagnosis of botulism was suspected and was treated with large doses of penicillin and botulinum antitoxin. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of serum botulinum toxin A.

Conclusion Physicians should be aware of the association of botulism in injecting drug users, particularly in Ireland.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Microbiology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

    S FitzGerald, R Lyons, W Hall & C Gallagher

  2. Emergency Medicine and Respiratory Medicine, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland

    R Lyons, J Ryan & C Gallagher

Authors
  1. S FitzGerald
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  2. R Lyons
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  3. J Ryan
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  4. W Hall
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  5. C Gallagher
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J Ryan.

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FitzGerald, S., Lyons, R., Ryan, J. et al. Botulism as a cause of respiratory failure in injecting drug users. Ir J Med Sci 172, 143–144 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02914502

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02914502

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