A child is brought into the emergency room with breathing difficulties. He also has difficulty swallowing and speaking. The mother mentions that he ate some home-canned beans yesterday. You suspect microbiological food poisoning. The most likely toxin is which of these?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are consistent with botulism, which is caused by the botulinum toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, commonly found in improperly canned foods such as beans. The toxin affects the nervous system, leading to difficulty swallowing and speaking, as well as respiratory failure if left untreated.

A Child Is Brought into the Emergency Room with Breathing