MEDizzy - A worried mother brings her infant to the emergency

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Microbiology

A worried mother brings her infant to the emergency department because he appears to be unable to swallow and continues to choke on his formula. On physical examination, the physician notes generalized muscle weakness. On further questioning, the patient’s mother says that she recently started sweetening the baby’s food with honey. Which of the following is a characteristic of the organism most likely responsible for this infant’s symptoms?

Explanationd. This describes all spore-forming bacteria, which include Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, and Clostridium. However, only Clostridium botulinum produces the symptoms seen in this baby and also fits the mode of transmission. C botulinum causes botulism via the production of a heat-labile toxin that inhibits the release of acetylcholine into the neuromuscular junction. Infants may initially become constipated and then develop generalized muscle weakness (“floppy baby”). The organism is spread through the ingestion of contaminated canned or bottled food. Additionally, fresh honey has been shown to harbor the organism.