Foodborne bacterial infections Flashcards
what are two microorganisms that cause foodborne intoxication
Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium botulinum
how does food borne intoxication occur?
it occurs from ingestion of a food containing a preformed toxin
what are 5 general characteristics of a foodborne intoxication?
- toxin is produced by a pathogen while growing in the food
- the toxin can be heat liable or heat stable
- ingestion of a food containing active toxin, not viable cells, is necessary for poisoning
- symptoms generally occur quickly, as early as 30 minutes after ingestion
- febrile symptoms are not present (no fever because there’s no immune response/no infection)
How does Staphylococcus aureus causes illness?
through the ingestion of the toxin NOT the organism
what is an enterotoxin?
a toxin that acts on the gastrointestinal tract
action of enterotoxin
toxin stimulates the vagus and sympathetic nerves
when are enterotoxins produced?
throughout most of the exponential growth phase
what is the optimal temperature for organism growth
37-40C (only 3h required at this temperature for sufficient toxin production)
what is the onset time for intoxication?
very quick onset (30min/toxin concentration), mean incubation is 4.4h (too fast for infection), 10hrs is maximum time to onset
what is infant Botulism
ingestion and intestinal proliferation of Clostridium botulinum, internal production of the toxin (infection) [GI of baby isn’t as diverse -> C. botulinum can grow in there and produce the toxin]
what is a common food known for C. botulinum
HONEY
how do you treat C. botulinum intoxication
with antibiotics/anti-toxins
to avoid C. botulinum spores to germinate in food, what is the ideal pH?
pH < 4.2
mechanism of action of botulinum toxin onces ingested
- following ingestion/production the toxin molecules are absorbed by the gut and are spread via the blood to peripheral nerves
- normally the axon termine of the neutron connects with muscle tissue through SNARE proteins and releases acetylcholine into the muscle cells which causes the contraction
- BoNT acts as a protease cleaving the SNARE proteins
- this deprives the muscle of acetylcholine signal and results in a flaccid paralysis
- this becomes a major issue when it comes to lung or heart muscles
what are 6 symptoms of Salmonella enteric infection
- weakness
- nausea and vomiting
- fever
- abdominal pain, bloating
- muscle and joint pain
- diarrhea
the genus Salmonella has … species
two
Salmonella enterica is grouped in to … subspecies
six
which subspecies of the genus Salmonella causes illness in humans?
Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica
which serovars of salmonella enterica subspecies enterica are associated with foodborne illness?
Serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis
how do we treat uncomplicated cases of salmonella enterica infection?
supportive therapy, such as fluid and electrolyte replacement
=> Antibiotics prolong carrier state and increase AMR so they generally are not used!
how does a non-typhoidal salmonella infection manifests itself in immunocompromised people?
as an invasive disease, characterized by bacteria and high mortality rate
what are the growth conditions for Listeria monocytogenes? (temp, pH, salt content]
- can grow and divide from 4-45C
- It grows in the refrigerator and outcompetes other bacteria in this environment
- in media as low as pH 4.4
- in salt contents as high as 10% (and heat resistance increases as salt content decreases)
lowering the temperature doesn’t stop the Listeria monocytogenes growth BUT ….
it does slow it down