A 4-month-old boy presents with poor feeding, weak cry, constipation, and progressive generalized hypotonia over the past week. Parents report recent honey ingestion. Vital signs: HR 110/min, RR 18/min, temp 37.2°C, BP 85/55 mmHg. Examination reveals weak suck reflex, absent gag reflex, and descending paralysis. Serum electrolytes normal. Stool culture pending. No prior antibiotic use. Which of the following best explains the underlying mechanism of disease?
- A)Blockade of acetylcholine release by cleavage of SNARE proteinsGABARITO
- B)Autoantibodies against voltage gated calcium channels
- C)Irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase
- D)Autoimmune destruction of acetylcholine receptors
- E)Mutation in the SMN1 gene
Explicação
Infant botulism follows ingestion of Clostridium botulinum spores, which germinate in the gut and produce toxin. Botulinum toxin cleaves SNARE proteins and blocks presynaptic acetylcholine release, causing constipation and descending flaccid weakness. Ver explicação completa e trilha adaptativa →