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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffBotulism is a rare, but very serious condition. It's caused by toxin produced by bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. The toxins that this bacterium produces are among the most poisonous substances.
Botulism comes in three main forms:
- Food-borne botulism. The harmful bacteria thrive and produce the toxin in environments with little oxygen, such as in canned food.
- Wound botulism. If these bacteria get into a cut, they can cause a dangerous infection that produces the toxin.
- Infant botulism. This is the most common form of botulism. It begins after Clostridium botulinum bacteria grow in a baby's intestinal tract. It typically occurs between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 months.
All types of botulism present medical emergencies, since they can cause death.
