Infant botulism in the age of botulism immune globulin

Neurology. 2005 Jun 28;64(12):2029-32. doi: 10.1212/01.WNL.0000166950.35189.5E. Epub 2005 May 25.

Abstract

Infant botulism causes acute bulbar dysfunction, weakness, and respiratory failure in infants living in endemic regions of the United States. Until Food and Drug Administration approval of botulism immune globulin (BIG) in October 2003, management of infant botulism had changed little since the 1970s. Currently, IV therapy with BIG is advised to shorten the duration and diminish the potential complications of the disorder. This review describes two decades of experience with infant botulism and provides a contemporary perspective on the role and benefit of BIG.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Botulism / drug therapy*
  • Botulism / epidemiology*
  • Botulism / physiopathology
  • Environmental Exposure / statistics & numerical data
  • Feeding Methods / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / physiopathology
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / therapeutic use*
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Infant
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Immunoglobulins
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • botulism immune globulin