Botulism in cattle in Mato Grosso do Sul: History, current situation, and perspectives

Botulism is a neuroparalytic disease caused by ingesting neurotoxins (BoNTs) produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is a significant cause of cattle mortality in Brazil. BoNTs block the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular synapses and cause muscle flaccidity. The diagnosis of botulism is challenging due to two main factors: the absence of macro and microscopic lesions and the difficulties inherent in laboratory tests considered the gold standard for botulism. Due to these difficulties, reviews of botulism diagnoses in Mato Grosso do Sul and extensively in the Center-West of Brazil became discrepant according to the diagnostic methodology used, making it difficult to correctly assess the disease's prevalence, epidemiology, and clinical picture. This study aimed to review the diagnoses of botulism in cattle reported in Brazil, comparing the criteria used in each case. We studied the cause, the pathogenesis, clinical signs, and all the diagnosis methods applied to botulism. Based on the subject reviewed, we propose a diagnostic protocol based on standards adequate to the Brazilian circumstances. We also reviewed the critical diseases of cattle diseases to be included in the differential diagnosis of botulism.