casestudy_botulism

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Eastern Idaho Technical College *

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100

Subject

Anatomy

Date

Apr 3, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by ElderElectron12836

Anatomy & Physiology Name __________________ Mr. Scheffel Period__________________ Clinical Case Study: Botulism Case Presentation Sarah, a twenty-one year old student at Idaho State University, had spent Thanksgiving Day with relatives at her grandparent's farm. During her drive back to campus on Friday morning her vision became blurry, and she was forced to pull over to the side of the road. As she sat in her car, her vision worsened. She opened the car hood in hope of attracting aid and tried to relax. Luckily, a highway patrol officer pulled over soon thereafter and approached Sarah. By this time, Sarah was having trouble swallowing and speaking clearly. The officer cautiously helped Sarah to his car, then rushed her to the emergency room at a nearby hospital. In the ER, Sarah was able to describe her symptoms to a physician. The physician made note of what Sarah had eaten during the last 24 hours and was especially interested in the fact that Sarah's grandmother canned all of her own farm vegetables. The physician observed that Sarah's breathing was becoming labored. She ordered Sarah's blood sampled, her gastrointestinal tract pumped, and a mechanical respirator prepared for use. Fearing that Sarah suffered from a case of botulism, she asked for Sarah's grandparents to be contacted and that samples of the Thanksgiving meal retained, if possible, for analysis at a local lab. Case Background Botulism is a form of food poisoning caused by exposure to a toxin called botulin. Botulin is produced by Clostridium botulinum , a spore forming, anaerobic bacterium that can contaminate food. Whereas commercially canned foods are specifically heated to destroy botulinum spores, home canned foods that are not boiled for a half-hour prior to canning may be contaminated. The botulin toxin binds to the presynaptic membranes at motor end plates and prevents the release of acetylcholine from motor neurons, thereby preventing synaptic transmission and muscle contraction. Treatment includes bed rest, and if required, mechanical respiration, and/or administration of drugs to promote acetylcholine release. The mortality rate for botulism is about 15 percent and the cause of death is suffocation. Analysis Questions : 1. What two major organ systems are primarily affected by botulin intoxication? Motor systems and muscle systems are prevented from moving and acting correctly. 2. How does the blockage of acetylcholine release from motor neuron synaptic terminals affect the muscular system? What symptoms commonly result from this?

Anatomy & Physiology Name __________________ Mr. Scheffel Period__________________ 3. What is the significance of Clostridium botulinum being anaerobic? It’s a spore forming bacteria and can only be killed in below freezing temperature. 4. Why didn’t the physician prescribe an antibiotic for treatment? Because the administration of drugs and antibiotics can promote acetylcholine release.

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