What is Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous (BIG-IV)?

Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous (BIG-IV) is a treatment used specifically for infant botulism, a rare but serious paralytic illness caused by the ingestion of Clostridium botulinum spores. These spores germinate, colonize the intestine, and produce neurotoxin, which leads to the characteristic symptoms of botulism. BIG-IV is an antitoxin derived from the plasma of adults immunized with a pentavalent botulinum toxoid vaccine and works by neutralizing the free-floating botulinum toxin in the bloodstream.