A Man Had 2 Week Old Baked Potato For Dinner. This Is What Happened To His Brain.

Summary

A 36-year-old prison inmate, PD, experiences severe health complications after consuming a two-week-old baked potato and homemade 'pruno' wine. Initially misdiagnosed as an allergic reaction, it's later revealed to be botulism, caused by Clostridium botulinum in the fermented wine. The script delves into the medical mystery, detailing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, highlighting the dangers of improper food handling and the potency of botulinum toxin.

Takeaways

• 🍽️ A 36-year-old man, PD, consumed a 2-week old baked potato and prison wine, leading to severe health complications.
• 🏥 PD presented symptoms including slurred speech, blurred vision, and difficulty swallowing, indicative of a serious medical emergency.
• 🤧 The incident occurred in a prison where inmates were making 'pruno', an illicit prison wine, using food scraps including old baked potatoes.
• 🚫 The prison wine was forbidden and could potentially lengthen sentences, but was tolerated as it contributed to peace within the facility.
• 🔬 Medical examination suggested an allergic reaction, but further investigation pointed towards botulism caused by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
• 🥔 The botulism was linked to the prison wine made with the old potato, where fermentation conditions allowed the bacteria to produce the toxin.
• 🏥 Several inmates were admitted with botulism, triggering a public health investigation and significant medical costs.
• 🛑 The potato itself was not the direct cause of botulism; it was the specific conditions during the prison wine fermentation process that facilitated toxin production.
• 💉 PD and other inmates were treated with botulinum antitoxin and required intensive care, including mechanical ventilation.
• 💼 The incident resulted in substantial financial implications for the state, highlighting the broader consequences of foodborne illnesses.
• 🗓️ Recovery from botulism can be lengthy, with PD experiencing a full recovery after 11 months, though some residual effects persisted.

Q & A

What was the initial symptom that PD noticed after eating the 2-week old baked potato?

PD's initial symptom was a strange feeling in his mouth, as if the muscles in his mouth were stiff and his throat was closing up, even though his breath felt 'hot'.

Why was the prison wine, or 'pruno,' considered dangerous and forbidden in the prison?

Pruno was dangerous because it was made under unsanitary conditions and could potentially contain harmful substances. Its production and consumption were forbidden as it could lengthen the sentence of everyone involved.

How did the inmates make pruno, and what role did the baked potatoes play in the process?

Inmates made pruno by crushing fruits, mixing the juice with hot water in a plastic bag, and fermenting it. They would 'burp' the bag daily to release gas. Baked potatoes were added to the mix because the starch in potatoes is a form of sugar, which could speed up fermentation.

What medical condition did the physician initially suspect PD was experiencing?

The physician initially suspected PD was experiencing an allergic reaction due to the sudden change in his diet, which included eating foods he hadn't had for a while.

What medication was given to PD to treat his suspected allergic reaction?

PD was given diphenhydramine, also known as Benadryl, to treat the suspected allergic reaction. This medication works by stopping the body's reaction to histamine.

How did the medical team determine that PD's symptoms were not due to an allergic reaction but rather a case of botulism?

The medical team determined PD's condition was botulism based on the presence of symptoms such as symmetrical weakness, impaired movement and speech, and slow pupil reaction, along with the fact that other inmates presented with similar symptoms after consuming the same prison wine.

What is botulism, and how is it typically contracted?

Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is typically contracted through the consumption of foods that have been contaminated with the toxin, often due to improper canning or fermentation processes.

What was the role of the moist sock used to filter the prison wine in the development of botulism?

The moist sock provided an environment conducive to the growth of Clostridium botulinum and the production of the botulinum toxin. The sock was part of the fermentation process for the prison wine, which included the use of a 2-week old baked potato.

What complications can arise from long-term effects of botulism, even after recovery?

Long-term effects of botulism can include muscle atrophy and shortening from prolonged immobility, fatigue, difficulty breathing, and in some cases, persistent issues like double vision.

What was the cost implication for the state taxpayers due to the botulism outbreak among the prison inmates?

The state taxpayers were responsible for a bill of $500,000, which covered the hospital costs of treating the inmates with botulism, along with additional costs for secure transport and correctional facility monitoring.