Clinical and epidemiological features of iatrogenic botulism

Botulism is a severe neuroparalytic disease caused by botulinum toxin (BoNT) produced by vegetative forms of Clostridium botulinum or, in rare cases, by other clostridium species. This review is devoted to the problem of iatrogenic botulism (iatB) and describes the epidemiological, pathogenetic, and clinical features of iatB, which are important for physicians of various specialties at the current stage of expanding indications for botulinum therapy for timely and effective medical care of persons with iatB manifestations. Key words: Clostridium botulinum, botulinum neurotoxin, iatrogenic botulism