Descriptive Epidemiology of Infant Botulism in California: The First 40 Years.

Objective: To ascertain the descriptive epidemiology of infant botulism, the flaccid paralysis that results when neurotoxigenic Clostridium species produce botulinum toxin (BoNT) in the infant colon, in its first 40 years following initial recognition in California in 1976.

Study Design: Cases were defined by laboratory identification of BoNT and/or neurotoxigenic Clostridium species in patients' feces. Parents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire.

Seven-Year Case-Control Study in California of Risk Factors for Infant Botulism.

Objective: To ascertain possible risk factors for infant botulism, the intestinal infectious form of human botulism, in the years immediately following its initial recognition in California in 1976.

Study Design: Parents of 159 California laboratory-confirmed cases of infant botulism from 1976 to 1983 and 318 healthy controls were interviewed using a comprehensive (>300 factors) questionnaire. "Neighborhood controls" (n = 184) were matched on date of birth, sex, race/ethnicity, and neighborhood of residence.