Food intoxication
Introduction.
Food intoxication results from ingestion of bacterial toxins rather than from
ingestion of the bacteria themselves. Staphylococcal enterotoxins are heat and
acid resistant and survive cooking and ingestion.
Summary
Cause: Staphylococcus aureus
- Microscopy: Gram-positive cocci, clusters
- Symptoms: Severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea lasting
< 24 hours
- Transmission: Ingestion of contaminated meats, pastries, potato
salad
- Pathogenesis: Enterotoxin A or other types act as superantigens,
activating T-cells and mast cells. Cytokines, histamine and inflammation
cause symptoms
- Treatment: Fluid replacement; symptomatic
Cause:
- Microscopy:
- Symptoms:
- Transmission:
- Pathogenesis:
- Treatment: