|
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?
|
