Type A and type B botulism in the North: first reported cases due to toxin other than type E in Alaskan Inuit.

• Main Authors: Barrett, D. H., Eisenberg, M. S., Bender, T. R., Burks, J. M., Hatheway, C. L., Dowell, V. R.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1977
• Subjects: Research Article; Arctic; Alaskan Inuit; inuit; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1879961; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/332309

Botulism outbreaks shown to be due to type A and type B toxin occurred in Alaska, a region previously known for only type E botulism. The outbreak due to type A toxin involved three people, two of whom died. The outbreak due to type B toxin involved nine people, none of whom died. Both outbreaks were in Inuit villages, and native foods were incriminated. The occurrence of these outbreaks strongly suggests that Clostridium botulinum, types A and B are indigenous to Alaska. The outbreaks underscore the need for initial treatment of patients with antitoxin that is trivalent (ABE), even in Arctic regions.