Culture Report:
After overnight incubation, the culture from the patient's fecal sample showed nearly a pure growth of Salmonella enteritidis. The sample was submitted to the State Health Laboratory for a definitive serological identification. In the meantime 11 more cultures from other patients that sought medical care showed identical culture results, presumptively confirming community-acquired Salmonella food poisoning.

12. In a case of Salmonellosis, how long does it take after exposure before symptoms are evident?

13. When is Salmonellosis life threatening?

14. What populations are most susceptible to severe illness?

15. How is Salmonella spread?

16. How are Salmonella infections diagnosed?

17. What health care professional would be responsible for identifying the causative agent of the gastroenteritis?

18. How can Salmonella infections be treated?

 

Instructor's Note:

Once all the information had been compiled, Salmonella species, serotype enteritidis was recovered from the stool samples of 29 of the 65 individuals attending the picnic. Serological grouping (fingerprinting) of the bacterium in the State's Public Health Lab confirmed Salmonella as the cause of the epidemic. State health personnel did extensive culturing of the foodstuffs served at the picnic. Unfortunately, most of the "leftovers" had been discarded and no Salmonella was recovered from catering service sources. Catering service personnel were tested for Salmonella, as some cases can be traced to asymtomatic carriers. All seven of the service's employees tested negative.

 

Based on past outbreaks, the most likely sources were either the potato salad since it containing eggs, or possibly the cold meats. Roughly 80% of food-borne Salmonella illness is associated with contaminated dairy or poultry products. Interviews conducted by public health personnel revealed that all of the stricken patients had consumed potato salad and either beef or turkey as their sandwich meat choice. Unaffected individuals had not consumed either of these foods. In all, 37 of the 65 attendees become ill. Fifteen of the affected individuals did not seek medical care and were notified by public health officials to have fecal cultures performed . Of these 15, 12 tested positive for the responsible Salmonella strain. Ages of the affected individuals ranged from 6 years to 78 years of age.

 

The patient was given 2 liters of Ringer's lactate to restore normal fluid/electrolyte balance and released the following day. Most of the patients were told to drink clear fluids. In patients with severe vomiting ,a suppository with medications such as chlormpromazine is given to help alleviate symptoms. Additionally, medications that help reduce the symptoms of severe diarrhea were prescribed. Those patient's with severe cases were hospitalized and started on antibiotics.

 

19. What is a lactated ringer?

20. Why are lactated ringers given?

21. What health care professional would be responsible for administering a lactated ringer solution to a patient?