infections
Botulism
Diagnosis of Botulism
When possible, tests to detect toxins in food, blood, or stool Sometimes electromyography Doctors suspect botulism based on symptoms. However, other disorders can cause similar symptoms, so additional information is needed. Forfoodborne botulism,a likely food source provides a clue. For example, when botulism occurs in two or more people who ate the same food prepared in the same place, the diagnosis is clearer. The diagnosis is confirmed when the toxins are detected in the blood or when the bacteria or toxins are detected in a sample of stool. Toxins may also be identified in food that was eaten. Forwound botulism,doctors ask whether people have had an injury that broke the skin. Doctors may inspect the skin for puncture marks suggesting use of an illicit drug. The diagnosis is confirmed when the toxins are detected in the blood or when the bacteria are detected in a culture of tissue from the wound. Electromyography (electrical stimulation of muscles and recording of their electrical activity) may be useful. In most cases of botulism, electromyography shows abnormal muscle responses after electrical stimulation. Sometimes determining whether botulism developed from a wound or from food is impossible. 