The toxin causes the deadly food poisoning botulism. It was found to be the cause of botulism, a systemic food poisoning at the end of the 19th century.
Patients with foodborne botulism, may develop antecedent effects including abdominal cramps or distention, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Development of clinical symptoms with foodborne botulism ranges from 2 hours to 8 days.
The first symptoms usually start 12-36 hr after ingestion of the toxin. Typical symptoms are diplopia, double or blurred vision, bulbar weakness, dysphonia, dysarthria, dysphagia, dryness of the mouth and pain.
The pain can become very intense and can be exacerbated by routine physical activities such as bending down or climbing stairs. The characteristics concomitant symptoms are nausea and vomiting, phonophobia.
When lateral rectus palsy, ptosis, and sluggish pupillary reactivity occur, respiratory insufficiency usually follows. A weakness progress, deep tendon reflexes may diminish.
The severity of the symptoms depends on the amount of toxin to which the individuals was exposed.
Symptoms of botulinum toxin
