Foodborne botulism in southeast Turkey in over a five-year period

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate food-borne botulism cases (especially purslane) observed in Adıyaman, a southeastern province of Turkey. Material and Methods: This retrospective study covers food-borne botulism cases, especially due to purslane, which were detected in 9 out of 796 people admitted to the emergency department due to food poisoning in Adıyaman between 2015-2020. The demographic characteristics of the cases, nutritional sources, and prognosis of the disease, its clinical signs and symptoms, duration of hospital stay, and treatment and death rates were analyzed. Results: A total of 9 patients from the same family (5 females and 4 males) were included in the study. The time elapsed since the onset of the disease was between 8-12 hours. The outbreaks occurred due to purslane prepared in the autumn season and consumed in the spring season. At the end of follow-up and treatment, all the patients were discharged with full recovery. Conclusion: When looking at the data of our hospital, patients were frequently diagnosed with food poisoning, but the cause was not specified. The main source of toxin seen in food poisoning in our city was due to canned purslane, which was stored in unsuitable conditions at home. Therefore, emergency physicians need to know how to diagnose and treat this rare but potentially fatal condition, as they may be the first to treat a patient with any type of botulinum intoxication.