Iatrogenic botulism cases after gastric and axillary application of botulinum toxin and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Iatrogenic botulism is a rare, serious disease that progresses with descending paralysis and develops after cosmetic or therapeutic botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) application. CASE PRESENTATIONS: In this case series; six cases of iatrogenic botulism followed up in our center are presented. Four of these developed after gastric BoNT-A and two after axillary BoNT-A application. RESULTS: The most important cause for the disease was the use of unlicensed products and high-dose toxin applications. The first symptoms were blurred vision, double vision, difficulty in swallowing, and hoarseness. Symptoms appeared within 4-10 days after the application of BoNT-A. Symptoms progressed in the course of descending paralysis in the following days with fatigue, weakness in extremities and respiratory distress. Diagnosis was based on patient history and clinical findings. The main principles of foodborne botulism therapy were applied in the treatment of iatrogenic botulism. If clinical worsening continued, regardless of the time elapsed after BoNT-A application, the use of botulinum antitoxin made a significant contribution to clinical improvement and was recommended. CONCLUSIONS: Routine and new indications for BoNT-A usage are increasing and, as a result, cases of iatrogenic botulism will be encountered more frequently. Physicians should be alert for iatrogenic botulism in the follow-up after BoNT-A applications and in the differential diagnosis of neurological diseases that are presented with similar findings.

Non-invasive diagnosis of diaphragmatic paralysis in botulism using ultrasound.

This case study explores foodborne botulism, a severe illness caused by botulinum neurotoxin-contaminated food. It leads to bilateral descending paralysis, involving the diaphragm. We highlight diaphragmatic ultrasound as a non-invasive diagnostic tool. A 50-year-old obese male developed diplopia and weakness after consuming contaminated food, rapidly progressing to severe symptoms. Mechanical ventilation became necessary due to respiratory failure. Diaphragmatic ultrasound confirmed bilateral diaphragm paralysis despite early antitoxin treatment. The patient experienced complications, requiring tracheostomy and rehabilitation. After five months, he fully recovered diaphragmatic function. This study underscores botulism's life-threatening nature and the vital role of supportive care. Diaphragmatic ultrasound is a safe and effective method for assessing diaphragmatic function in such cases, obviating ionizing radiation exposure. We recommend its routine use for evaluating botulism-induced paralysis.

Standardization of the Japanese National Standard, Equine Botulinum Antitoxin Type A, and Factors Affecting Standardization.

Equine botulinum antitoxin is one of the most popular countermeasures for human botulism. The unitage of the antitoxin product is defined according to national minimum requirement or pharmacopoeia in each country by referring to national standard antitoxins for four types (A, B, E, and F). With the expected depletion of the national standard antitoxins, replacement national standard antitoxins are produced and standardized through collaboration of the National Control Laboratory and other participants, including manufacturer(s). Therefore, Japanese National Standard Botulinum Antitoxin Type A, Equine, was replaced according to the results of a collaborative study involving the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and KM Biologics Co., Ltd. The unitage of the replacement material was determined through mouse neutralization tests, which involved toxin-antitoxin mixture injection at pH 7.0. Potency value of 440 units/vial was obtained. However, the Japanese Minimum Requirement for Biological Products was revised, and the neutralization reactions were repeated at pH 6.0, for which considerably different potency value (656 units/vial) and survival profile of mice were obtained. In September 2021, the replacement material, Japanese National Standard Botulinum Antitoxin Type A, Equine, lot 2, was established with potency value of 656 Units/vial. The impact of pH-dependent change in potency on antitoxin quality control is discussed.

Iatrogenic systemic botulism after intragastric botulinum neurotoxin injection: Case report.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The recent off-label use of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) for intragastric obesity treatment has led to 67 cases of systemic botulism in Türkiye, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. This case report highlights the potential risks and adverse effects associated with this treatment. CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old female presented to the emergency room with shortness of breath, fatigue, difficulty in eating and holding her head, constipation and double vision after receiving intragastric BoNT injection for obesity treatment. She had bilateral orbicularis oculi weakness, facial diplegia, weak tongue, masseter, neck and extremity muscles. Electromyography showed a presynaptic type neuromuscular junction disorder. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit and administered botulinum heptavalent equine-derived antitoxin, but the medication had to be stopped due to a reaction. The patient was started on pyridostigmine for symptomatic treatment and was transferred to an inpatient clinic after minimal improvement. She was discharged after 7 days of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be cautious of the potential risks of intragastric BoNT injection for obesity treatment and consider systemic botulism as a potential adverse effect. Antitoxin treatment should be considered in clinically progressing patients despite negative botulinum toxin testing.

Foodborne botulism and the importance of recognizing the disease in the emergency department: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Botulism is a rare neuroparalytic disease that has only presented itself 19 times in the last 30 years in Belgium. Patients present to emergency services with a wide range of complaints. Foodborne botulism is a forgotten yet life-threatening disease. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a case of a Caucasian female in her 60s that presented to the emergency with reflux with nausea and spasmodic epigastric pain, no vomiting, dry mouth, and weakness in both legs. The symptoms started after ingestion of Atlantic wolffish. After exclusion of other more common causes, foodborne botulism was suspected. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit for mechanical ventilation. Following treatment with trivalent botulinum antitoxin, she made a full neurologic recovery. CONCLUSION: It is important to rapidly recognize the possible diagnosis of botulism even if the neurological symptoms are not dominant. Rapid neurologic dysfunction and respiratory difficulties starts between 6 and 72 hours after ingestion. The decision to administer antitoxins should, however, be based on the presumptive clinical diagnosis and diagnosis should not delay therapy.

Iatrogenic Botulism: A Case Treated With Botulinum Antitoxin.

OBJECTIVE: Botulinum toxin type A is widely used for the treatment of spasticity, focal dystonia, hemifacial spasm, hyperhidrosis, strabismus, chronic migraine, and also cosmetic purposes. Therapeutic use is commonly effective and safe. However, if toxin enters the vascular space and gets through to peripheral cholinergic nerve terminals, it may lead to iatrogenic botulism. METHOD: We presented a patient who is diagnosed as iatrogenic botulism and treated with antitoxin at the 15th day of the exposure. RESULTS: After the antitoxin administration, dramatical response to the treatment was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this report, we want to evaluate a new case of iatrogenic botulism and emphasize the importance of antitoxin administration regardless the timing of the exposure for patients with progressing paralysis.

Successful treatment of a 15 years-old obese adolescent patient with botulinum anti-toxin after gastric Botox and systemic botulism findings: a case report / Tratamiento exitoso de un paciente adolescente obeso de 15 años con antitoxina botulínica posterior a Botox gástrico y hallazgos de botulismo sistémico: reporte de un caso

Obesity is an increasingly common public health problem in children. The main goal in the fight against obesity is to prevent the development of obesity by healthy eating, increasing physical activity and reducing screen time. Patients with obesity should be treated in a multidisciplinary manner in accordance with the guidelines. In children and adolescents, applications such as gastric Botox, which are not included in the guidelines and for which there is insufficient literature information, should be avoided. Obese patients with Botulism side effects should be questioned about this application and Botulism antitoxin should be administered in appropriate cases. In this case report, we present a 15-year-old adolescent girl who developed botulism after gastric Botox administration in another medical institution and was successfully treated with Botulism antitoxin and prostigmine. (AU)

La obesidad es un problema de salud pública cada vez más común en los niños. El objetivo principal en la lucha contra la obesidad es prevenir el desarrollo de la obesidad mediante una alimentación saludable, aumentando la actividad física y reduciendo el tiempo de pantalla. Los pacientes con obesidad deben ser tratados de forma multidisciplinar de acuerdo con las guías. En niños y adolescentes deben evitarse aplicaciones como el botox gástrico, que no están incluidas en las guías y para las que no existe suficiente información bibliográfica. Los pacientes obesos con efectos secundarios del botulismo deben ser interrogados acerca de esta aplicación y la antitoxina del botulismo debe administrarse en los casos apropiados. En este reporte de caso, presentamos a una adolescente de 15 años que desarrolló botulismo luego de la administración de botox gástrico en otra institución médica y fue tratada exitosamente con antitoxina botulínica y prostigmina. (AU)

Exposure-Response Modeling and Simulation to Support Human Dosing of Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent Product.

Botulism antitoxin heptavalent (A, B, C, D, E, F, and G - Equine; BAT) product is a sterile solution of F(ab')2 and F(ab')2 -related antibody fragments prepared from plasma obtained from horses that have been immunized with a specific serotype of botulinum toxoid and toxin. BAT product is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic botulism following documented or suspected exposure to botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A to G in adults and pediatric patients. Pharmacokinetic and exposure-response models were used to explore the relationship between BAT product exposure and the probability of survival, and the occurrence of relevant moderate clinical signs observed during the preclinical development of BAT product to justify the clinical dose. The predicted probability of survival in humans for all serotypes of botulinum neurotoxin was more than 95.9% following intravenous administration of one vial of BAT product. Furthermore, this BAT product dose is expected to result in significant protection against clinical signs in human adults for all botulinum neurotoxin serotypes. Our exposure response model indicates that we have sufficient antitoxin levels to give full protection at various theoretical exposure levels and, based on neutralization capacity/potency of one dose of BAT product, it is expected to exceed the amount of circulating botulinum neurotoxin.

Botulismo del lactante grave por toxina tipo A y uso de antitoxina equina AB luego de 5 días de evolución, reporte de caso y revisión bibliográfica / Severe infant botulism due to type A toxin and use of equine AB antitoxin AB after 5 days of evolution, a case report and literature review

Resumen El botulismo del lactante (BL) es una enfermedad neuroparalítica potencialmente grave que afecta a niños menores de un año, ocasio nada por la ingesta y germinación de esporas de la bacteria del género Clostridium en tubo digestivo y la producción in situ de toxina botulínica (TB). Ésta se absorbe de manera intermitente y puede ser sostenida en el tiempo, condicionando una mayor exposición a la TB respecto a otras formas de botulismo. La TB representa el agente más letal conocido para el ser humano, con capacidad de producir parálisis flácida descendente, insuficiencia respiratoria y la muerte. Los lactantes representan la población más susceptible a esta toxiinfección. El eje central del manejo del BL radica en el diagnóstico precoz y tratamiento de sostén adecuado y oportuno. Si bien en la bibliografía consultada se describe que el tratamiento específico con antitoxina botulínica humana (BabyBIG® reduce el tiempo de hospitalización y estadía en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, la misma no se encuentra disponible en muchos países, incluida la Argentina. En nuestro país se encuentra disponible la antitoxina botulínica de origen equino (AtBE) bivalente A-B. La misma no posee indicación formal para el tratamiento del BL por la escasa experiencia en esta población, su corta vida media y los efectos adversos descritos, como son la sensibilización a antígenos equinos de por vida y posibles reacciones anafilácticas más graves en lactantes, basados en trabajos de la década de 1980 y opiniones de expertos. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 5 meses asistida en el Hos pital de Niños "Superiora Sor María Ludovica" con BL severo, con requerimientos de asistencia ventilatoria mecánica y deterioro clínico durante la internación. Recibió AtBE a los 48 días de enfermedad, con respuesta favorable, a partir de una búsqueda bibliográfica sobre la eficacia y el perfil de seguridad de la AtBE en BL grave y la eficacia de su administración luego de 5 días de inicio del cuadro. A pesar de no haberse hallado bibliografía que avale la eficacia de la AtBE pasados 5 días de evolución, se plantea su uso en pacientes con BL grave e indicadores compatibles con presencia de TB en circulación, como la intensificación de la hipotonía muscular o la identificación de TB en materia fecal o suero. La búsqueda realizada arrojó datos sobre posibles beneficios de su uso, tanto antes como después de los 5 días de evolución del cuadro, y la ausencia de reportes de reacciones adversas severas en lactantes. Se concluye que el uso de la AtBE podría ser una opción terapéutica frente a la ausencia de BabyBIG® en pacientes con BL grave confirmado que requieran cuidados intensivos con soporte ventilatorio mecánico, frente a indicadores compatibles con TB circulante, independientemente del tiempo de evolución.

Abstract Infant botulism (BL) is a potentially serious neuroparalytic disease that affects children under one year old, caused by the ingestion and germination of spores of the Clostridium genus bacterium in the digestive tract and the in situ production of botulinum toxin (TB), which is absorbed intermittently and can be sustained over time, with longer exposure time to TB than other botulism forms. The TB represents the most lethal toxin known to humans and can cause descending flaccid paralysis, respiratory failure and death. Infants represent an especially susceptible population. Early diagnosis and supportive care are the cornerstone of BL management. Although specific treatment with human botulinum antitoxin (BabyBIG® has shown to reduce the hospitalization time and Intensive Care Unit stay in the consulted bibliography, it is not currently available in many countries, including Argentina. Botulinum antitoxin of equine origin (AtBE) bivalent A-B is available in our country. This antitoxin has not a formal indication in BL due to the limited experience of its use in this population, its short half-life and the adverse effects described, such as lifelong sensitization to equine antigens and possible more severe anaphylactic reactions in infants, based on studies from the 1980s and expert opinions. We present the case of a 5 month old patient assisted at the Children's Hospital "Superiora Sor María Ludovica" with severe BL, in need of mechanical ventilatory assistance and worsening of her clinical state during hospitalization, who received ATBE at 48 days of illness with a favorable response. A bibliographic search was carried out on the efficacy and safety profile of AtBE in severe BL and the efficacy of its administration after 5 days of illness onset. Even though bibliography on efficacy of ATBE after 5 days of evolution was not found, its use is proposed in patients with compatible indicators of circulating TB, such as worsening of muscular hypotonia or TB presence in feces or serum in severe ill patients. The carried out search has shown data of the possible benefits of its use, both before and after 5 days of disease onset, and the absence of severe adeverse reaction reports in infants. We concluded that the use of AtBE could be a therapeutic option in absence of BabyBIG® in patients with confirmed severe BL who require intensive care with mechanical ventilatory support and compatible indicators with circulating TB, regardless of the evolution time.

Management of an outbreak of botulism with benign clinical presentation.

Botulism is a life-threatening presynaptic disorder of the neuromuscular transmission produced by the neurotoxin elaborated by the botulinum neurotoxin-producing clostridia. We describe the management of a case series of 14 patients, members of 5 different families that were exposed to home-canned tuna and developed symptoms compatible with a mild clinical presentation of foodborne botulism. The electrophysiological study of the index case represented a reliable diagnostic test as it demonstrated a slight presynaptic dysfunction of the neuromuscular junction. Definite diagnosis was later confirmed by microbiological tests. Out of 14, only 3 patients presenting with a shorter period from symptom onset and with signs of multiple cranial neuropathies received botulinum antitoxin. All the patients remained stable and recovered progressively. Treatment with antitoxin may not be necessary in patients with late-presenting disease and mild and stable clinical picture.

Wound botulism presenting as dysphagia to an ENT ward.

A 44-year-old man with a background of heroin injection drug use was referred to the ear, nose and throat team with a sore throat and dysphagia. He was treated with intravenous antibiotics and steroids for suspected uvulitis. He developed progressive bulbar weakness and symmetrical descending weakness of the upper extremities over a 12-hour period and was intubated prior to transfer to the intensive care unit.Botulinum heptavalent antitoxin was administered, and subsequent PCR assay confirmed Clostridium botulinum neurotoxin B from his most recent injection site. He was found unconscious on the ward 3 days following extubation. Postmortem confirmed he died from heroin intoxication.This case highlights the importance of considering wound botulism in injection drug users presenting with unexplained weakness, particularly of the lower cranial nerves. Botulism is not characteristically associated with signs of localised or systemic infection in contrary to other bacterial complications of injection drug use.

Safety and Clinical Outcomes of an Equine-derived Heptavalent Botulinum Antitoxin Treatment for Confirmed or Suspected Botulism in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Botulism is a rare, life-threatening paralytic illness. Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (A,B,C,D,E,F,G)-(Equine) (BAT) manufactured by Emergent BioSolutions Canada Inc is an equine-derived heptavalent botulinum antitoxin product indicated for the treatment of symptomatic botulism following documented or suspected exposure to botulinum neurotoxin serotypes A-G in adults and pediatric patients. BAT product was US-licensed in 2013. METHODS: In the United States, from October 2014 through July 2017, safety and clinical outcomes data were collected under a registry for patients treated with BAT product. RESULTS: Registry patients had a median age of 51 years (range, 32 days to 92 years). Among 162 patients, 7 (4.3%) experienced BAT product-related serious adverse events, including 1 (0.6%) report each of pneumonia, pneumonia aspiration, ventricular tachycardia, upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, anaphylactic reaction, acute kidney injury, and acute myocardial infarction. Thirty-one (19.1%) patients had 41 BAT product-related adverse events. Six (3.7%) deaths were reported in the registry. All deaths were attributed to the underlying illness and were assessed as unlikely related to BAT product. Among 113 (69.8%) patients with a final diagnosis of botulism, those treated early (≤2 days) spent fewer days in the hospital (5 vs 15.5 days), in the intensive care unit (ICU) (4 vs 12 days), and on mechanical ventilation (6 vs 14.5 days) than those treated late (>2 days), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: BAT product was well tolerated in patients. Treatment with BAT product at ≤2 days of symptom onset was associated with shorter hospital and ICU stays, and shorter duration and need for mechanical ventilation, showing clinical benefit associated with early treatment.

Cost savings associated with timely treatment of botulism with botulism antitoxin heptavalent product.

BACKGROUND: Botulism is a rare, serious, and sometimes fatal paralytic illness caused by exposure to neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Patients with documented or suspected exposure to botulinum toxin serotypes A-G can be treated with BAT® [Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (A, B, C, D, E, F, G)-(Equine)] product, which was approved in 2013 in the United States (US). Patients with botulism have demonstrated greater clinical benefit with early BAT product treatment (≤2 days from symptom onset) versus late treatment (>2 days). OBJECTIVE: Economic outcomes associated with improved clinical outcome benefits of BAT product treatment have not yet been reported. This ad hoc analysis aimed to estimate and compare costs associated with hospitalization, intensive care unit stay, and mechanical ventilation for patients with botulism administered BAT product treatment early or late. METHODS: Clinical outcomes data for early and late BAT product treatment were obtained from a patient registry conducted between October 2014 and July 2017. Total per patient mean daily costs were estimated based on information from published literature. Total population costs per group were calculated by multiplying estimated mean cost per patient by the average annual number of non-infant botulism cases in the US. RESULTS: Mean per patient costs were 2.5 times lower for patients treated with BAT product early versus late. On average in the US, early BAT product treatment could save greater than $3.9 million per year versus late treatment. CONCLUSION: Substantial economic savings can be achieved with early BAT product treatment. The findings support the recommendation for public health authorities to ensure antitoxin treatment is readily available in sufficient quantities to manage botulism cases, including sporadic outbreaks and potential mass exposure biological attacks.

Efficacy of equine botulism antitoxin in botulism poisoning in a guinea pig model.

BACKGROUND: Botulism is a disease caused by neurogenic toxins that block acetylcholine release, resulting in potentially life threatening neuroparalysis. Seven distinct serotypes of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) have been described and are found in nature world-wide. This, combined with ease of production, make BoNTs a significant bioweapon threat. An essential countermeasure to this threat is an antitoxin to remove circulating toxin. An antitoxin, tradename BAT (Botulism Antitoxin Heptavalent (A, B, C, D, E, F, G)-(Equine)), has been developed and its efficacy evaluated against all seven serotypes in guinea pigs. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Studies were conducted to establish the lethal dose and clinical course of intoxication for all seven toxins, and post-exposure prophylactic efficacy of BAT product. Animals were monitored for signs of intoxication and mortality for 14 days. Guinea pig intramuscular LD50s (GPIMLD50) for all BoNTs ranged from 2.0 (serotype C) to 73.2 (serotype E) of mouse intraperitoneal LD50 units. A dose of 4x GPIMLD50 was identified as the appropriate toxin dose for use in subsequent efficacy and post-exposure prophylaxis studies. The main clinical signs observed included hind limb paralysis, weak limb, change in breathing rate/pattern, and forced abdominal respiration. Mean time to onset of clinical signs ranged from 12 hours (serotype E) to 39 hours (serotype G). Twelve hours post-intoxication was selected as the appropriate time point for intervention for all serotypes apart from E where 6 hours was selected because of the rapid onset and progression of clinical signs. Post-exposure treatment with BAT product resulted in a significantly (p<0.0001) higher survival at >0.008 scaled human dose for serotypes A, B, C, F and G, at >0.2x for serotype D and >0.04x for serotype E. CONCLUSIONS: These studies confirm the efficacy of BAT as a post-exposure prophylactic therapy against all seven known BoNT serotypes.

Botulism in pregnancy - a clinical approach to diagnosis and management.

Botulism is a life-threatening toxin mediated disease that often presents with a sudden rapid onset of paralysis of their skeletal muscles with subsequent respiratory compromise and sudden death. Given the natural physiological changes during pregnancy, pregnant women with botulism may experience a more exaggerated course and have worse outcomes compared to nonpregnant women. Medical providers caring for such patients should not only maintain a high level of suspicion for botulism, but administration of an antitoxin early in their care can help reduce morbidity and mortality, while awaiting confirmatory laboratory results. It is not uncommon for a medical provider caring for these women to mistakenly associate the signs and symptoms associated with botulism with pregnancy-related findings; therefore, this article illustrates a clinical algorithmic approach to caring for these women, including a systematic approach to establishing a diagnosis and management plan for pregnant women with botulism.

[Foodbourne Botulism: A Forgotten Disease]. / Botulismo Alimentar: Uma Doença Esquecida.

Botulism is a serious illness caused by exposure to botulinum toxin. It is manifested by flaccid, paralysis, symmetric and in descending pattern affecting cranial and peripheral nerves. Given the frequent need for invasive mechanical ventilation, these patients should be approached in an intensive care setting. Treatment with anti-botulinum toxin is the only effective treatment. The authors present the case of a 64-year-old patient, with vomiting and vertigo, evolution to diplopia, dysphagia and flaccid, muscle paralysis, installation after ingestion of canning homemade. From the etiologica, we highlight the electroneuromyogram study with a pre-synaptic lesion compatible with the botulism hypothesis. Progressive improvement of the deficits after administration of anti-botulinum toxin. A brief theoretical review is made of a serious, potentially fatal and infrequent pathology in our country.

O botulismo é uma doença grave causada pela exposição a toxina botulínica. Manifesta-se por paralisia flácida, simétrica e em padrão descendente que afeta nervos cranianos e periféricos. Dada a frequente necessidade de ventilação mecânica invasiva, estes doentes devem ser abordados em ambiente de cuidados intensivos. O tratamento com soro anti-toxina botulínica é o único eficaz. Os autores apresentam o caso de uma doente de 64 anos, com quadro de vómitos e vertigem, com evolução para diplopia, disfagia e parésia muscular flácida, simétrica e descendente, com instalação após ingestão de conserva alimentar de fabrico caseiro. Do estudo etiológico salienta-se eletroneuromiograma com lesão pré sináptica compatível com hipótese de botulismo. Melhoria progressiva dos défices após administração de soro anti-toxina botulínica. Faz-se uma breve revisão teórica de uma patologia grave, potencialmente fatal e pouco frequente no nosso país.

Clinical analysis of 86 botulism cases caused by cosmetic injection of botulinum toxin (BoNT).

This study was conducted to analyze the clinical characteristics of and treatment strategies for botulism among patients receiving cosmetic injection of botulinum toxin (BoNT).A total of 86 botulism patients caused by cosmetic injection of BoNT were enrolled in our study. All of the patients were diagnosed according to their history of cosmetic BoNT injection, clinical symptoms and signs, and other auxiliary examinations (including those on renal and liver functions, blood index detection, and chest X-ray). All of the patients received comprehensive treatments and botulinum antitoxin serum injection.The main symptoms of botulism patients included headache, dizziness, insomnia, fatigue, blurred vision, eye opening difficulty, slurred speech, dysphagia, bucking, constipation, and anxiety. These clinical symptoms occurred 0∼36 days after BoNT injection, especially from 2nd to 6th day after the operation. Furthermore, the usage dose of BoNT was negatively related to latent period. Finally, patients all discharged from our hospital 1∼20 days after treatments, and their symptoms relieved or disappeared.Botulism is a severe side effect for BoNT injection. Injecting botulinum antitoxin serum may be an effective approach to improve clinical outcomes of botulism cases.