Gastrointestinal Bacterial Diseases Quiz

Gastrointestinal Bacterial Diseases

Gastrointestinal Food Poisoning

• Staphylococcal food poisoning: transmission through food handlers' hands to dairy products, cooked meats, and inappropriate storage, leading to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea within 1-6 hours.
• Bacillus cereus food poisoning: ingestion of pre-formed heat-stable exotoxins, causing rapid onset of vomiting and diarrhea within hours, with self-limiting symptoms.

Gastrointestinal Infection

• Campylobacter jejuni infection: a common cause of diarrheal illness.
• Salmonella spp. infection: a common cause of foodborne illness.
• Escherichia coli infection:
  • Many serotypes present in the human gut, with production of disease depending on colonization or acquisition of pathogenicity factors.
  • Five clinico-pathological patterns of diarrhea associated with specific strains of E. coli.
  • Travel to unfamiliar areas can lead to contact with different strains of E. coli, causing traveler's diarrhea.
  • Antimicrobial agents, such as β-lactams, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, can effectively inhibit E. coli growth.
• Clostridium difficile infection: a common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
• Yersinia enterocolitica infection: a common cause of foodborne illness.
• Cholera (Vibriosis):
  • Caused by Vibrio cholerae serotype O1, with two biotypes: classical and El Tor.
  • The seventh pandemic began in 1961 and spread via the Middle East to become endemic in Africa.
  • El Tor is more resistant to commonly used antimicrobials than classical Vibrio.
  • A new classical toxigenic strain, serotype O139, was discovered in Bangladesh in 1992 and started a new pandemic.
  • Infection spreads via contaminated water, shellfish, food, and human contact.
  • Clinical features include severe diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration, leading to shock and oliguria if left untreated.
  • Diagnosis is confirmed bacteriologically, and treatment involves replacement of water and electrolytes.
• Bacillary dysentery (shigellosis): a common cause of foodborne illness.

Test your knowledge on bacterial diseases affecting the gastrointestinal system, including food poisoning and infections caused by Staphylococcal, Bacillus cereus, and Campylobacter jejuni.