Duration of Fecal Excretion of Clostridium Botulinum and Botulinum Neurotoxin in Patients Recovering from Infant Botulism.

ABSTRACT

This study sought to determine duration of fecal excretion of Clostridium botulinum organisms and neurotoxin after onset of infant botulism in 66 affected infants. Median excretion was longer for type A than type B patients (organisms 5.9 vs 3.5 weeks, toxin 4.8 vs 1.6 weeks, respectively). Toxin excretion always ceased before organism excretion. Antibiotic therapy did not affect duration of excretion.