Abstract

Botulism is a rare but severe neuroparalytic disease, caused by Clostridium botulinumtoxins. Botulinium toxin is one of the most potent toxins in nature. Foodborne botulism is caused by foods particularly canned foods (home/commercial) but also by sausages, meat products and seafoods. Here we described four adult foodborne poisoning cases caused by home-made canned red pepper. Intensive care monitoring and antitoxin therapy were initialised immediately. After the patients were intubated and antitoxins administered, symptoms improved in two days for one patient, seven days in another and twenty-one days in the remaining two patients. Rapid improvement of symptoms is thought to be related to intensive care and antitoxin therapy.

Key words: Botulinum ıntoxication, foodborne botulism, Clostridium botulinum, toxin, antitoxin.