Electrodiagnosis reliability in the diagnosis of infant botulism

J Pediatr. 1992 May;120(5):747-9. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(05)80238-0.

Abstract

Infant botulism is confirmed by isolation of Clostridium botulinum from stool culture or by toxin assay. Although electrodiagnosis has been described as a diagnostic tool in infant botulism, our 11-year review of toxin-confirmed cases suggests that electrodiagnosis is not a reliable tool. In the case report presented, results of electrodiagnosis were negative but enema effluent contained adequate concentrations of organism and toxin to confirm the diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Botulinum Toxins / analysis
  • Botulism / diagnosis*
  • Botulism / epidemiology
  • Clostridium botulinum / isolation & purification
  • Electrodiagnosis*
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Neuromuscular Junction / physiology
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology

Substances

  • Botulinum Toxins