Infant botulism adult form

Gastrointestinal colonization in adults or children by clostridial bacteria does not typically take place except under circumstances where the normal flora has been altered by antibiotic treatment (Cheiington, 1998). Botulism results from in vivo production of toxin, analogous to the pathogenesis of infant botulism (McCroskey and Hatheway, 1988 Chia et al, 1986). Support for this form of botulism is provided by demonstration of prolonged excretion of toxin and C. botulinum in stool and/or by the demonstration of C. botulinum spores but not preformed toxin in suspected foods. 

In adults, botulinum intoxication generally results from ingestion of preformed toxin elaborated in contaminated foods (foodbome), or from colonization by Clostridium botulinum of deep wounds with subsequent production of toxin (wound botulism). A third form, termed infant botulism, is observed in young infants and originates from colonization of the large intestine by Clostridium botulinum with subsequent production and absorption of toxin. Rarely, adults also exhibit a syndrome resembling infant botulism and some authors regard this as the fourth manifestation of botulism. ... 

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