Fatal outbreak of botulism in Greenland

Abstract Botulism commonly occurs when the anaerobic, gram-positive bacterium Clostridium botulinum, under suitable conditions, produces botulinum neurotoxins. Named A-F, these toxins are the immediate causative agent of the clinical symptoms of symmetrical, descending neurological deficits, includi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Infectious diseases (London, England) England), 2015-03, Vol.47 (3), p.190-194
Main Authors: Hammer, Tóra Hedinsdottir, Jespersen, Sanne, Kanstrup, Jakob, Ballegaard, Vibe Cecilie, Kjerulf, Anne, Gelvan, Allan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Animals
Birds - microbiology
Botulinum Antitoxin - therapeutic use
Botulinum Toxins - genetics
Botulinum Toxins - isolation & purification
Botulinum Toxins - toxicity
Botulism - diagnosis
Botulism - epidemiology
Botulism - therapy
Child, Preschool
Clostridium botulinum - isolation & purification
Disease Outbreaks
Fatal Outcome
Feces - microbiology
Female
Food Microbiology
Greenland
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Respiration, Artificial
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Summary:Abstract Botulism commonly occurs when the anaerobic, gram-positive bacterium Clostridium botulinum, under suitable conditions, produces botulinum neurotoxins. Named A-F, these toxins are the immediate causative agent of the clinical symptoms of symmetrical, descending neurological deficits, including respiratory muscle paralysis. We present five cases of foodborne botulism occurring in Greenland, two with fatal outcome, caused by ingestion of tradionally preserved eider fowl. In the cases of the survivors, antitoxin and supportive care, including mechanical ventilation, were administered. In these cases recovery was complete. Microbiological assays, including toxin neutralization bioassay, demonstrated the presence of neurotoxin E in two survivors. The third survivor was shown by PCR to have the BoNT type E gene in faeces. This is the first report of cases of fatal botulism in Greenland. It underscores the importance of prompt coordinated case management effort in a geographically isolated area such as Greenland.
ISSN:2374-4235
2374-4243
DOI:10.3109/00365548.2014.979434