Objectives: Foodborne botulism has been an uncommon disease in Iran. It induces symmetrical cranial nerve
palsies followed by descending, symmetric flaccid paralysis of voluntary muscles, which may eventually lead to
respiratory failure and death. This study aimed to investigate clinical and paraclinical findings, and long onset
symptoms of botulism poisoning in Mashhad over an eight - year period.
Materials and methods: All selected files from hospital-referred botulism poisoned patients were investigated
which were opted from Imam Reza (p) Mashhad University Hospital, Iran. Patients’ clinical and paraclinical findings
were noticed. In order to find out the period of time that patients have been free from any symptoms after discharging,
all selected patients were contacted in early 2011. Cases were divided into two groups, namely sporadic and
epidemic (more than one), and their findings were compared.
Results: Overall, 45 patients were selected. Mean incidence of Botulism in Khorasan-Razavi was 9.8× 105
.
Among them 49.9% was Male. Main clinical findings were difficult speech (92%), ptosis (91%), diplopia (67%),
nausea (58%), general weakness (92%), dizziness (70%) and constipation (25%). Patients were cleared from all
symptoms and signs after discharging in 8.3 (9.6, 0-39) weeks. In outbreaks, time elapsed from exposure; headache
and dysphagia were significantly different from sporadic cases.
Conclusion: Food borne botulism is rare, but it happens more frequently in middle-income countries such as
Iran. The result of this study could be used as a clinical guideline to diagnose botulism in this area.