In response to questions on botulism,  I would like to suggest that those
interested read the letter to the editor by John Middaugh (Botulism and
Breast Milk,  New England J. Medicine  vol 298, p 343, 1978.)

In this case,  a woman in Alaska was hospitalized for severe botulism
poisoning.  While still very ill,  her breast milk was analyzed for  C.
Botulinum and the botulism toxin.  In this case,  none was found in her milk
even though she was still clinically very ill.  The infant continued to
breastfeed throughout this illness and did not shown any signs or symptoms
of botulism poisoning.

In botulism,  it is the neurotoxin that is fatal,  not the bacteria.  C.
Botulinum  is recovered in less than 60% of the cases,  so it may not be
present is many cases.  Because the toxin is a large peptide(MW=70,000),  it
is not likely it will penetrate into milk very efficiently,  which is
supported by the above case.

However,  because the toxin is exceedingly potent,  I do not think it
advisable that an infant should breastfeed while the mother is ill with
botulism poisoning.  Lets wait a day or two.


Tom Hal.e
Texas Tech University School of  Medicine