Iatrogenic botulism after intragastric botulinum neurotoxin injections - a major outbreak.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Intragastric botulinum neurotoxin injections (IBNI) are offered off-label in the private medical sector in a few European countries as a safe and effective weight-loss measure. In February and March 2023, an outbreak of iatrogenic botulism occurred in several European countries following IBNI treatment in Turkey. This case series describes the clinical features of severe iatrogenic botulism after IBNI.

Methods

We retrospectively summarize the clinical course and emergency department and intensive care unit interventions in ten cases of severe iatrogenic botulism that occurred after receiving IBNI in this sudden outbreak in Austria and Germany.

Results

Seven out of ten cases initially showed characteristic symptoms of botulism with diplopia, dysphagia, dysar

SUBMITTER: Goerttler T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11520667 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature