Failure of Guanidine Therapy in Botulism a

Abstract

Botulism, Type A, developed in four members of a family who ingested contaminated bottled meatballs. All four patients survived, but required prolonged hospitalization, tracheostomy and mechanical respiratory support. Antitoxin therapy was administered within 12 hours of the onset of symptoms, and within 36 hours guanidine hydrochloride therapy was begun. No clinical benefit resulted from the use of guanidine, and its role as an adjunctive measure in human botulism remains to be more clearly defined.