Clostridium Perfringens BY

6TH PERIOD FOODS & NUTRITION

WHAT IS IT?

• A spore forming gram positive bacterium
• Found on raw meat and poultry
• Prefers conditions with little or no oxygen
• Under ideal conditions can grow rapidly

FACTS

• One of the most common illnesses
• Nearly 1 million cases a year
• Thrive in 40-140˚F temperature

SYMPTOMS

• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Symptoms last 6-24 hours

WHO IS MOST AT RISK

• Everyone can be at risk
• Specifically young children and elderly
• Symptoms for these age groups can last 1-2 weeks

DIAGNOSTICS

• Diagnosed by lab tests
• The tests look for toxin in feces
• 106 spores per gram of Perfringens in stool within 48 hours is required to test it

TREATMENT

• Oral rehydration
• In severe cases IV therapy
• Antibiotics are not recommended

PREVENTION

• Thoroughly cook food
• Refrigerate perishable food within 2 hours
• Divide leftovers into containers
• Use a food thermometer

SOURCES

• http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/clostridium-perfingens.html
• http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/cperfringens/