Question | Answer |
Is the disease viral, bacterial, fungal, worm or protozoan? | Bacterial |
What is the genus species name of the causative agent? | Clostridium botulinum |
How is it transmitted? How does a person get the infection? | eating canned or preserved foods, but can also occur as an infection; usually from home-stored foods |
What are the general signs and symptoms of an infected person? What body systems/organs are involved? | neuromuscular symptoms 1st affect head muscles causing double vision, difficulty swallowing & dizziness, but no sensory or mental lapse; later symptoms: descending muscular paralysis, & respiratory compromise |
Are there any toxins or factors that increase the virulence of the pathogen? | infant botulism, wound botulism |
How is the agent commonly identified? How is confirmation of agent made? | testing food samples, intestinal contents & feces for evidence of toxin or c. botulinum |
How does each bacterial pathogen stain for gram, endospore, capsule, acid fast? What shape does each bacteria have? | spore-forming anaerobe; gram-positive; bacilli; produces exotoxins |
Which viruses are DNA or RNA viruses? Which are enveloped or non-enveloped? | n/a |
Are there any special (classic) signs or symptoms that characterize the disease/infection? | "food-poisoning' |
Is there a treatment or cure available? What are the most common antibiotics given? | A,B,&E trivalent horse antitoxins; respiratory & cardiac support systems; infectious bot. treated with penicillin |
Is there a vaccine available? | yes, against A,B,C,D,E toxins, but only for labworkers |
How can transmission be prevented? | educating public about proper methods of preserving & handling canned foods, test pressure cookers for accuracy; addition of preservatives (sodium nitrite, salt, vinegar) |