Foodborne botulism associated with home-preserved turnip tops in Italy
Authors
Fabrizio Anniballi, Elisa Chironna, Sara Astegiano, Bruna Auricchio, Giuseppina Buonincontro, Maria Corvonato, Vincenzo Segala Segala, Giuseppina Mandarino Mandarino, Dario De Medici, Lucia Decastelli
Abstract
In Italy, foodborne botulism is a rare disease mainly due to home-preserved food. In
the case reported here, clinical diagnosis was performed on the basis of clinical signs
and referred consumption of home-preserved turnip tops in oil. Definitive diagnosis was
performed by detection of botulinum toxin in sera and neuro-toxigenic organisms in
stools and leftover food. This case report highlights the need of a high medical awareness,
prompt clinical diagnosis, and synergic collaboration among the health authorities for a
correct management of botulism as well as disease containment.
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