*Authors ElSagad Eltayeb 1,2, Afrah E. Mohammed 3, Aisha Alrajhi3, Enass M. Abdalla4, Nassir Alhaboob Arabi1, Sanaa A. Abdelaziz5, and Kamal H. Eltom4

Received 20 September 2023

Accepted for publication 10 November 2023

Published 19 December 2023 Volume 1:1 Pages 17—21

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Peer reviewer comments 2

1 Ibn Sina Specialised Hospital, Alamarat, Street 17–21, 12217 Khartoum, Sudan; sagadgady@yahoo.com (E.E.), nassir_alhaboob@yahoo.com (N.A.A).

2 Faculty of Medicine, Al Neelain University, Street 53, 11111 Khartoum, Sudan

3 Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh,11671, Saudi Arabiaafamohammed@pnu.edu.sa

4 Department of Animal Health and Safety of Animal Products, Institute for Studies and Promotion of Animal Exports, University of Khartoum, Shambat 13314, Khartoum North, Sudan; kamal@uofk.edu (K.H.E.); enassmukh17@gmail.com (E.M.A.)

5 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Khartoum, Shambat 13314, Khartoum North, Sudan; sabdelaziz262@gmail.com

​ Correspondence: keltom@gwdg.de

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Abstract

Botulism is caused by neurotoxins produced by diverse members of the genus Clostridium and is rare in humans. Among the major forms is the adult intestinal toxaemia botulism caused by the in situ production of the neurotoxin from the toxigenic Clostridium spp. colonizing the intestines. Crohn's disease an inflammatory bowel disease, (IBD) is considered a predisposing factor for colonization of the intestines by C. botulinum. Here, we report the first case of botulism in a patient with ulcerative colitis (UC) who visited the gastrointestinal clinic complaining of intermittent diarrhea, abdominal distension, and acute pain. In addition, she experienced symptoms of cranial nerve palsies) diplopia and blurred vision (that lasted for a short time. C. botulinum was isolated from the stool of the patient, which led to the confirmed diagnosis of adult intestinal toxaemia botulism. Long antibiotic therapy and UC (another form of IBD) had likely promoted colonization by C. botulinum, leading to the symptoms of botulism that were overlooked by those of UC

​Keywords: Botulinum neurotoxins, Clostridium  sp., inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal disease