Diagnosis of Botulism food poisoning

Diagnostic Test list for Botulism food poisoning:

The list of medical tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Botulism food poisoning includes:

• Blood tests
• Bacterial cultures
• Brain scan
• Spinal fluid examination
• Nerve conduction test
• Electromyography
• Tensilon test - for myasthenia gravis

Tests and diagnosis discussion for Botulism food poisoning:

FDA Bad Bug Book (Excerpt)

Since botulism is foodborne and results from ingestion of thet toxin of C. botulinum, determination of the source of an outbreak is based on detection and identification of toxin in the food involved. The most widely accepted method is the injection of extracts of the food into passively immunized mice (mouse neutralization test). The test takes 48 hours. This analysis is followed by culturing all suspect food in an enrichment medium for the detection and isolation of the causative organism. This test takes 7 days. (Source: FDA Bad Bug Book)

Botulism General: DBMD (Excerpt)

Physicians may consider the diagnosis if the patient's history and physical examination suggest botulism. However, these clues are usually not enough to allow a diagnosis of botulism. Other diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, stroke, and myasthenia gravis can appear similar to botulism, and special tests may be needed to exclude these other conditions. These tests may include a brain scan, spinal fluid examination, nerve conduction test (electromyography, or EMG), and a tensilon test for myasthenia gravis. The most direct way to confirm the diagnosis is to demonstrate the botulinum toxin in the patient's serum or stool by injecting serum or stool into mice and looking for signs of botulism. The bacteria can also be isolated from the stool of persons with foodborne and infant botulism. These tests can be performed at some state health department laboratories and at CDC. (Source: excerpt from Botulism General: DBMD)

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