botulism

[boch-uh-liz-uhm]

noun

Pathology.

1. a sometimes fatal disease of the nervous system acquired from spoiled foods in which botulin is present, especially improperly canned or marinated foods.

botulism

/ ˈbɒtjʊˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. severe poisoning from ingestion of botulin, which affects the central nervous system producing difficulty in swallowing, visual disturbances, and respiratory paralysis: often fatal

botulism

1. A severe, sometimes fatal food poisoning caused by eating food infected with the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which produces botulinum toxin. The bacterium grows in food that has been improperly preserved.

botulism

1. A severe form of food poisoning, often fatal if not treated quickly. Botulism is caused by a kind of bacterium that produces a toxin, and it is sometimes present in improperly canned or preserved foods.

Word History and Origins

Origin of botulism¹

1875–80; < German Botulismus, equivalent to Latin botul(us ) sausage (a source of botulin toxin) + -ismus -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of botulism¹

C19: first formed as German Botulismus literally: sausage poisoning, from Latin botulus sausage

Example Sentences

Epidemiologic and laboratory data show that ByHeart’s infant formula might be contaminated with spores that cause botulism, the FDA said.

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The UK Health Security Agency recently linked 41 confirmed cases of botulism to the use of an unlicensed toxin bought from beauticians over the summer.

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Earlier this year, a sudden outbreak of botulism across England left dozens of young women in hospital, some partially paralysed, after being injected with black-market Korean toxin sold by beauticians as a Botox-style treatment.

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Other symptoms of botulism can include droopy eyelids, double vision and weak facial muscles.

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But when her condition deteriorated over the following days, Ms Bailey rushed back to hospital where this time she was told she had botulism, a rare but life-threatening condition caused by a bacterium.

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Related Words

• salmonella