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Botulism

Introduction. 

Botulism is a bacterial disease caused by exotoxins of Clostridium botulinum. These bacteria are primarily contracted through contaminated food, such as improperly canned goods. The endospores of C. botulinum enable them to survive cooking, and the bacteria flourish in oxygen-poor cooked meats or cans. Spoilage of food results in toxin production, which, when ingested, causes the symptoms of botulism food poisoning. In infants, ingestion of a few spores can lead to growth of Clostridium in the intestine. Entry of spores into wounds is also possible. Symptoms of toxin production are similar.

Summary