Diagnostic Tests for Botulism food poisoning

Botulism food poisoning: Diagnostic Tests

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Botulism food poisoning includes:

• Blood tests
• Bacterial cultures
• Brain scan
• Spinal fluid examination
• Nerve conduction test
• Electromyography
• Tensilon test - for myasthenia gravis

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Botulism food poisoning:

• Food Allergies & Intolerances: Home Testing:
  • Home Food Allergy Tests
  • Home Food Intolerance Testing
  • Home Water Testing
  • Home Lead Poisoning Tests
  • Home Heavy Metal Poisoning Tests
• Poison-Related Home Testing:
  • Home Water Test Kits
  • Home Carbon Monoxide Tests
  • Home Microwave Radiation Tests
  • Home Lead Poisoning Testing
  • Home Radon Gas Tests
  • Home Heavy Metal Poisoning Testing

Botulism food poisoning Diagnosis: Book Excerpts

• Diagnosis - Botulism

Tests and diagnosis discussion for Botulism food poisoning:

FDA Bad Bug Book (Excerpt)

Since botulism is foodborne and results from ingestion of thet toxin of C. botulinum, determination of the source of an outbreak is based on detection and identification of toxin in the food involved. The most widely accepted method is the injection of extracts of the food into passively immunized mice (mouse neutralization test). The test takes 48 hours. This analysis is followed by culturing all suspect food in an enrichment medium for the detection and isolation of the causative organism. This test takes 7 days. (Source: FDA Bad Bug Book)

Botulism General: DBMD (Excerpt)

Physicians may consider the diagnosis if the patient's history and physical examination suggest botulism. However, these clues are usually not enough to allow a diagnosis of botulism. Other diseases such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, stroke, and myasthenia gravis can appear similar to botulism, and special tests may be needed to exclude these other conditions. These tests may include a brain scan, spinal fluid examination, nerve conduction test (electromyography, or EMG), and a tensilon test for myasthenia gravis. The most direct way to confirm the diagnosis is to demonstrate the botulinum toxin in the patient's serum or stool by injecting serum or stool into mice and looking for signs of botulism. The bacteria can also be isolated from the stool of persons with foodborne and infant botulism. These tests can be performed at some state health department laboratories and at CDC. (Source: excerpt from Botulism General: DBMD)

 » Next page: Diagnosis of Botulism food poisoning

Rate This Website

What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

Website User Survey

Medical Tools & Articles:

Next articles:

• Diagnosis of Botulism food poisoning
• Signs of Botulism food poisoning
• Complications of Botulism food poisoning
• Misdiagnosis of Botulism food poisoning
• Undiagnosed Botulism food poisoning

Tools & Services:

• Bookmark this page
• Take a survey relating to Botulism food poisoning
• Symptom Search
• Symptom Checker
• Medical Dictionary
• Give your feedback

Medical Articles:

• Disease & Treatments Search
• Misdiagnosis Center
• Full list of interesting articles

Forums & Message Boards

• Ask or answer a question at the Boards:
• I cannot get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for my condition?
• See all the Boards.

Enter your search terms Submit search form
Search The Web Search wrongdiagnosis.com

Common Health Mistakes

Symptom
Checker

Search Specialists by State and City