MICROBIOLOGY

FOOD INTOXICATION

CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS

• Spore forming gram positive bacterium that is found in many enviromental sources as well as in the intestines of humans and animals!
• Symptoms : abdominal cramping, diarrhea, lasts 6-24 hours, NO fever, NO vomiting.
• Source : raw meat & poultry. The bacteria produces a toxin inside the intestines thatbcauses the illness.
• Prevention : thoroughly cook food, then keep food warmer than 140 F or cooler than 41 F. Do not eat food that is left ooutnin the open!!!
• Treatment : oral rehydration, IV fluids, NO antibiotics.

STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

• A bacteria that 30% of people carry in their nose.
• Symptoms : pocket of puss, painful red swellings, rash warm to touch, fever, chills.
• Source : more common to those who have chronic illness and weak immune systems, caused bybcontaminated hands.
• Prevention : WASH YOUR HANDS!
• Treatment : antibiotics, most common used is penicillin.

CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM

• Gram positive, rod shaped, spore forming bacteria.
• Symptoms : double vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, dry mouth, muscle weakness.
• Source : soil, bacterial toxin can be found on the floors and countertops of homes even sfter cleaning.
• Prevention : follow strict hygiene procedures to reudce contamination of food.
• Treatment : breathing machines may be needed, intensive medical care, and antitoxins.

FOOD INFECTIONS

SALMONELLA ENTERITIDIS

• Pathogen of poultry, bacteria.
• Symptoms : fever, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, begins 12-72 hours after contamination, last anywhere from 4-7 days.
• Source : eggs, raw poultry.
• Prevention : thoroughly cook food, refrigerate, wash hands after handling raw food products, discard broken eggs you buy from the store.
• Treatment : antibiotics.

ESCHERIA COLI 0517 : HZ

• Gram negative, bacterium.
• Symptoms : fever, nausea, vomiting, cramps, bloody diarrhea.
• Source : lower intestines of warm blooded organisms, contagious and can be spread from person to person by fecal contamination.
• Prevention : eat well cooked foods, drink treated or pasteurized fluids, avoid touching or eating anything contaminated.
• Treatment : there is no vaccine available.

LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

• Bacterium that causes the infection listeriosis.
• Symptoms : fever, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, infection spread to the nervous system may cause headaches.
• Source: foods contaminated with the bacterium.
• Prevention : wash all produce, avoid cross contamination between raw meat and vegetables, BE CLEAN!!!
• Treatment : antibiotics.

WORKS CITED

• cdc.gov
• health.state.mn.us