Woman Left Paralyzed After Eating Expired Pesto She Got From Farmer's Market

Doralice CS Goes, 47, from Brazil, contracted botulism from a jar of pesto she got at a farmer's market. The condition left her paralyzed.Photo byJam Press/Dailymail

A terrifying case of botulism left a 47-year-old Brazilian woman paralyzed for nearly a year after consuming expired pesto. Doralice Carneiro Sobreira Goes' story, which unfolded over the course of many months in the hospital, highlights the severe risks posed by botulism, a rare but potentially fatal illness caused by bacterial toxins.

A Simple Meal Gone Wrong

On December 31, 2021, Doralice Goes purchased pesto sauce from a shop she frequented. The sauce, which lacked a visible expiration date and storage instructions, sat in her home for several weeks before she ate it in January 2022. Shortly after consuming the pesto, she began feeling unwell.

"My body didn’t feel right, my breathing worsened, and my tongue started tingling,” she said, describing her early symptoms. Sensing something was seriously wrong, she drove herself to the hospital, but by the time she arrived, she was nearly immobile. “I couldn’t move my body, so I threw myself out of the car,” she recalled. Fortunately, a hospital worker with a wheelchair rushed over to help her.

Rapid Paralysis and Botulism Diagnosis

Once at the hospital, doctors quickly discovered the severity of her condition. She was vomiting, struggling to breathe, and had lost most of her mobility. After undergoing a computerized tomography (CT) scan, neurologists diagnosed her with botulism, a rare illness that affects only about 100 Americans per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Botulism is caused by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which exists in spore form in soil, marine environments, and on the surfaces of foods such as fruits, vegetables, and seafood. These spores are mostly harmless, but under low-oxygen conditions, they can produce a deadly toxin that attacks the nervous system.

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), foods improperly canned at home—like tomatoes, pickles, and, in this case, possibly pesto made from tomatoes or peppers—are particularly susceptible to contamination.

How Botulism Affects the Body

The toxin produced by C. botulinum is extremely potent and fast-acting. In foodborne botulism cases, symptoms typically start between 12 and 36 hours after ingesting the contaminated food.

According to the CDC, early symptoms include difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness, double or blurry vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. As the toxin continues to attack the body, paralysis sets in, beginning with the face and then spreading to the limbs. If left untreated, it can lead to respiratory failure and death.

In Goes' case, she quickly lost her ability to move, speak, and breathe properly, and could only wiggle two toes by the time she was examined.

The Long Road to Recovery

Doctors immediately treated Goes with an anti-botulinum drug, a vital medication that blocks the toxin from further damaging the nervous system.

While this treatment can’t reverse the harm already done, it can prevent the illness from worsening. After receiving the antitoxin, she regained some basic functions, like slight movement in her fingers and the ability to speak in short sentences.

But the road to recovery was long and grueling. Goes spent the next year in the hospital, undergoing a variety of physical therapies to restore her strength and mobility. “I had treatments every day of the week,” she explained, describing therapies such as myofascial release, laser treatments, suction cups, Pilates to regain muscle tone, and pulmonary physiotherapy to help her breathe without assistance.

Thanks to these intensive treatments, Goes made significant progress. Nine months after her hospitalization, she no longer needed respiratory support. By the end of her year-long stay, she was able to feed herself and walk with the help of a walker. Despite her ongoing struggles, she remains positive. “It is now part of my history, and I am to overcome the difficulties I now face,” she said.

How Botulism Can Be Prevented

While botulism is rare, it is also preventable, particularly regarding food safety. The USDA and CDC emphasize the importance of properly storing and preparing food, especially homemade or preserved items.

Some tips to prevent foodborne botulism include:

• Refrigerate homemade sauces and oils promptly, especially those containing herbs or garlic, which can provide an ideal environment for bacteria.
• Keep hot foods hot (above 140°F) until they are served to avoid bacterial growth.
• Refrigerate opened canned or pickled foods to prevent the formation of toxins.
• Use proper home-canning techniques and ensure all foods are processed at the correct temperatures and pressures to eliminate bacteria and spores.

In Goes’ case, it’s likely the pesto was made from tomatoes or peppers, both of which can harbor the bacteria if not properly prepared or stored. Her ordeal serves as a crucial reminder that even seemingly harmless foods can pose serious risks if not handled correctly.

A Cautious Approach to Food

Since her recovery, Goes has become extremely cautious about the foods she consumes. “I’m careful when buying food from shops, restaurants, and fairs now,” she said, noting that she now prefers to buy packaged foods from well-known manufacturers rather than homemade goods to avoid any future risks.

While her journey has been arduous, Doralice Goes’ perseverance and optimism in the face of such a rare and devastating illness offer hope. Her case highlights the importance of food safety and vigilance in preventing botulism.