 |
 |

Pathophysiologic Aspects of Human Botulism
Ludwig Gutmann, MD;
Lee Pratt, MD
Arch Neurol. 1976;33(3):175-179.
Abstract
 |  |
Physiologic studies were carried out in six patients with botulism. Abnormalities were those of a defect of acetylcholine release. Although the most consistent findings were small, evoked muscle action potentials (MAP) and posttetanic facilitation similar to the Eaton-Lambert syndrome, there were differences. In botulism as opposed to the Eaton-Lambert syndrome, the following were true: (1) posttetanic facilitation of the amplitude of the evoked MAP was considerably less and did not approach the normal value when the block was severe; (2) posttetanic facilitation persisted at least several minutes during the postactivation cycle; (3) posttetanic depression did not occur; (4) significant tetanic facilitation of the amplitude of the MAP occurred in less than half the patients and, even then, did not approach normal (on the other hand, a decremental response, as in myasthenia gravis, is not seen); and (5) no decremental response of the MAP occurred during slow rates (two per second) of nerve stimulation. Evidence of transient physiologic denervation occurred as in experimental animals affected by botulinum toxin. All physiologic abnormalities revert to normal in association with clinical recovery.
Author Affiliations
From the Department of Neurology, West Virginia University, Morgantown.
Footnotes
Accepted for publication March 11, 1975.
Reprint requests to Department of Neurology, West Virginia University Medical Center, Morgantown, WV 26506 (Dr Gutmann).
CiteULike Connotea Del.icio.us Digg Reddit Technorati Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Generalised muscular weakness after botulinum toxin injections for dystonia: a report of three cases
Bhatia et al.
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 1999;67:90-93.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Case 22-1997- A 58-Year-Old Woman with Multiple Cranial Neuropathies
Hayes et al.
NEJM 1997;337:184-190.
FULL TEXT
Topical Review: Electrodiagnosis of Infantile Botulism
Gutierrez et al.
J Child Neurol 1994;9:362-366.
ABSTRACT
Food-borne Botulism: A Review of 13 Outbreaks
Lecour et al.
Arch Intern Med 1988;148:578-580.
ABSTRACT
Clinical Features of Types A and B Food-borne Botulism
HUGHES et al.
ANN INTERN MED 1981;95:442-445.
ABSTRACT
Botulism and Guanidine: Ten Years Later
Puggiari and Cherington
JAMA 1978;240:2276-2277.
ABSTRACT
Infant Botulism: Epidemiological, Clinical, and Laboratory Aspects
Arnon et al.
JAMA 1977;237:1946-1951.
ABSTRACT
Acute Infantile Motor Unit Disorder: Infantile Botulism?
Clay et al.
Arch Neurol 1977;34:236-243.
ABSTRACT
|