ABSTRACT We described the cases of a married couple hospitalized for distinct symptoms and developed a neuroparalytic
syndrome with rapid progression. In Case 1, a 75-year-old
woman was admitted for
abdominal pain,
diarrhea, and blurred
vision. The
patient developed acute
respiratory failure, ptosis, and
ophthalmoplegia. She died on day 15 because of an
acute abdomen. In Case 2, her
husband, a 71-year-old man, was admitted for
diplopia. The
patient developed abdominal distension and slurred
speech. Later, he developed bilateral ptosis,
ophthalmoparesis, and
mydriasis.
Botulism was suspected, and both
patients received
botulinum antitoxin. Our
male patient survived but underwent prolonged
rehabilitation.