A 45-year-old woman experiences blurred vision and difficulty swallowing after eating some home-canned vegetables. These symptoms are followed by respiratory distress and flaccid paralysis. The symptoms of her illness are most associated with which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are characteristic of botulinum toxin exposure, which can occur through ingestion of improperly canned foods. Botulinum toxin causes blurred vision, difficulty swallowing, respiratory distress, and flaccid paralysis by inhibiting acetylcholine release at neuromuscular junctions.

A 45-Year-Old Woman Experiences Blurred Vision and Difficulty Swallowing After α\alphaα

A 45-Year-Old Woman Experiences Blurred Vision and Difficulty Swallowing After $\alpha$