Botulism in the 21st Century: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Botulism is a potentially deadly neuroparalytic disease that affects all age groups; it is highly challenging to diagnose due to its nonspecific symptoms. Infant botulism is the most common form of botulism in the United States, followed by foodborne and wound botulism. Since most patients require hospitalization, it is imperative that both adult and pediatric physicians recognize its symptoms. Patients with severe forms of botulism typically present early after toxin ingestion and progress rapidly. Although rare in the United States, botulism remains a public health concern since even one case may predict an outbreak. This review summarizes the typical clinical course of botulism and recommendations for diagnosis and management.