53 new cases have been reported in Turkish patients, adding to the 14 European cases that were already known.
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has informed this Tuesday of 53 cases of botulism in patients who underwent botulinum toxin injections as a weight loss treatment in Turkey. These new patients, all of Turkish origin, join the 14 cases already reported so far in European citizens who traveled to the Ottoman country (12 in Germany, one in Austria and the other in Switzerland). In total, there are 67 affected patients to date.
According to an ECDC statement, the cases were detected between the end of February and March 10, 2023 and all are associated with intragastric injection of botulinum toxin. In 60 of the cases, the intervention was performed in a istanbul private hospital, while another three are linked to an intervention in the town of Izmir. No information is available for the remaining four cases.
The symptoms of botulism detected in those affected vary significantly, ranging from severe cases to moderate to severe cases. Among the patients who have required hospitalization, several have required admission to intensive care units and receive antitoxin treatment.
Due to the detection of these cases, the European Center for Disease Control appeals to all those who have traveled to Istanbul or Izmir to undergo a botulinum toxin intragastric injection treatment so that they see their doctor, especially if they experience symptoms such as weakness, shortness of breath, or trouble swallowing.
“He ECDC advises EU citizens to seek intragastric botulinum toxin treatments for obesity in Turkey as they are associated with a significant risk of developing botulism,” the agency said in a statement. occurred is an event related to the procedure performed in the hospitals involved or is due to a problem with the product administered.
Investigations carried out by the Turkish authorities have indicated that licensed products were administered in the treatments, but that these products are not approved for the treatment of obesity by intragastric injection. For this reason, the authorities have suspended activity in the departments of the hospitals involved and investigations have been launched to clarify what happened.
Botulism is a rare but serious disorder that is caused by toxins produced by the bacterium. Clostridium botulinum. These toxins cause weakness or paralysis in the nerves.
The bacteria Clostridium botulinum They are found in soil and in untreated water around the world. They can reach the human organism in different ways. The most common types of botulism are alimentary, which is produced by the consumption of food contaminated with the toxin; can also be produced wound botulism, if the bacteria enter the body through a body and produce the toxin. There is also the so-called infant botulism, which occurs when spores of the bacteria multiply in the affected infant’s intestine. Botulism associated with an incorrect injection of botulinum toxin for cosmetic or medical reasons is less frequent. This type is called iatrogenic botulism.
In a case of botulism, it is necessary to administer as soon as possible a substance that blocks the action of toxins (antitoxin). In many cases, activated charcoal is also used to remove any toxins that have not yet been absorbed. Close monitoring of vital signs is necessary, as the infection can be very serious and require admission to an intensive care unit.
The Spanish Medicines Agency (AEMPS) has authorized the marketing in Spain of 16 presentations of nine drugs that contain botulinum toxin in their composition.
Each product is authorized for a series of specific indications, the presentations are not interchangeable. The best-known licensed use of botulinum toxin is to temporarily improve facial lines such as those that occur between the eyebrows, crow’s feet, or lines around the mouth, in adults younger than 65 years of age, “when the intensity of these lines has an important psychological impact for the patient”, indicates the technical sheet.
However, beyond cosmetic medicine, some presentations of botulinum toxin are also indicated for disorders such as focal spasticity secondary to stroke, cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis), blepharospasm, or for the relief of symptoms in adults who meet the criteria for chronic migraine, among others.
This treatment is also indicated in cases of idiopathic overactive bladder, urinary incontinence or hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
According to the criteria of
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