Question

Some bacteria, protozoa, and viruses that cause foodborne illness are:

E.coli, Salmonella

Staphylococcus

Clostridium botulinum

Campylobacter

Clostridium perfringens

Hepatitis A.

Giardia

Listeriosis

Research all of the foodborne illnesses listed above and report the following information for each.

Disease name and whether it is a bacteria, protozoa, or virus

Type of contamination (infection or intoxication)

Infectious pathway

Possible sources and foods affected

Symptoms

Incubation period

Treatment

Statistics, how many affected, where, when etc.

Answer 1

1) Escherichia coli :

Disease name : Enterotoxigenic E coli also refers as travellers diarrhea.

whether it is a bacteria, protozoa, or virus : Ecoli is a gram negative bacilli.

Type of contamination (infection or intoxication): The source of infection is after consuming food or water contaminated with fecal matter.

Infectious pathway:

Entry of microbial agents/toxins into the gastrointestinal tract through feco oral route ----- release of enterotoxins invades the intestinal mucosa --------- triggering of osmotic diarrhea ------ inflammatory diarrhea results when bacteria invades ileum and the colon.

Possible sources and foods affected: ingestion of food and water contaminated with microbial agents, poor sanitation and hygienic practices.

Symptoms: Loose stools, urgency to defecate, cramps in abdomen,projectile vomiting,nausea,high grade fever, dehydration,coated tongue,sunken eyes,weak thready pulse.

Incubation period: It refers to the period of exposure to the harmful pathogens and the presence of first clinical manifestation. The incubation period of travellers diarrhea is 6-72 hours.

Treatment : Drugs to reduce muscle spasm , anti motility drugs containing diphenoxylate. It reduces the transit time of digestive system. Antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. Oral rehydration solution and intravenous administration of IV fluids to treat dehydration.

2) Salmonella :

- also refers to salmonellosis, common bacterial infection affects the intestinal system. The infection is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated meat,poultry, eggs and sea foods. Its treated using antacids to reduce gastric secretion,antibiotics to treat underlying pathogenic organisms causing infection.

3) Staphylococcus:

- gram positive bacteria belongs to the family staphylococcaceae. It causes food poisoning by releasing toxins. The symptoms characterized by sudden onset of diarrhea,nausea and stomach cramps.

4) Clostridium botulinum:

- is an anerobic bacteria that causes food poisoning. It commonly occurs after consuming food and fruits that carry botulism toxins. The symptoms ranges from vomiting,abdominal cramps,diarrhea,fever.