Honey And Botulism

 In ancient Rome, the word “botulus” meant sausage.

Romans and other cultures were familiar with foodborne illnesses from rotten or poorly preserved meat, particularly sausages and fish.

Cases of sudden paralysis, respiratory failure, and death after eating certain foods were likely caused by botulinum toxin, though they were attributed to evil spirits, divine punishment, or general food poisoning.

                                                       

                                                                        Botulus = Sausage 

                                                             Botulus To Clostridium Botulinum

Types Of Botulism 

Infant Botulism 

Honey Causes Infant Botulism 

1976 – Discovery of Infant Botulism

• First described by Dr. Stephen Arnon and colleagues at the California Department of Health.

• They noticed infants presenting with floppy baby syndrome and constipation, later traced to Clostridium botulinum in their intestines.

• This was the first time botulism was recognized to occur not via preformed toxin in food, but from germination of spores inside the infant's gut.

Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by Clostridium botulinum spores. Once ingested, these spores can colonize an infant's immature gut and produce botulinum toxin, leading to neuromuscular paralysis.

Honey is a known source of Clostridium botulinum spores. While it is safe for older children and adults (who have mature gut microbiota that inhibit spore germination), infants under 1 year of age are highly susceptible.

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