Food Poisoning Flashcards
What is the most common cause of food-borne diarrhoea in the UK?
Campylobacter
What is the incubation period of campylobacter?
2-4 days
What are the common sources of campylobacter?
Infected poultry or raw milk
How is diagnosis of campylobacter made?
stool cultures
What are the symptoms of campylobacter infection?
bloody diarrhoea (haemorrhagic colitis), fever, abdominal pain
What complication of campylobacter is likely to require admission (particularly in the elderly or infants)?
dehydration
In the immunosuppressed or severe cases of campylobacter what antibiotics are used?
erythromycin or azithromycin
How is salmonella infection normally acquired?
raw eggs, poultry or reptiles
What is the incubation period of salmonella?
12-48 hours
How is salmonella infection confirmed?
blood or stool culture, classified by presence of O or H antigens (by serotyping)
What is a complication of salmonella infection?
bacteraemia/ septicaemia
Which organism of gastroenteritis needs the smallest dose to cause infection?
Shigella
Which organism produces shiga-like toxins?
E.coli 0157
What are the common forms of transmission of E.coli?
beef mince, raw milk and animal contact
What is the advised treatment for E.coli 0157?
No antibiotics! causes increased toxin release
What is a concerning complication of E.coli 0157?
haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), especially in <5s.
Which pathogen causes symptoms within 2-4 hours of consumption and often resolves within 24 hours?
Staph. aureus
Which pathogen is associated with rice?
Bacillus cereus
How is Clostridium dificile usually acquired?
Disruption of normal gut flora by antibiotic use
How is C.diff infection confirmed?
toxin detection in stool by ELISA or PCR
What is the most severe complication of C.diff (apart from death)?
Toxicmegacolon
How is C.diff treated?
PO metronidazole (non-severe) or PO vancomycin +/- IV metronidazole (severe)
Which two pathogens are most likely to cause profuse vomiting?
bacillus cereus and staph aureus
Which (5) organisms can cause bloody diarrhoea?
shigella, salmonella, campylobacter, E.coli and C.diff
Which antibiotic is used to treat giardia infection?
metronidazole
Which antibiotics are used to treat peritonitis?
amoxicillin, metronidazole and gentamicin
