Basic case study in microbiology

Base Case Study Microbiology

Which organism is causing the food poisoning (include genus and species)? What is the most common source of contamination?

The organism causing the food poisoning is E. coli or Escherichia coli. The most common source of contamination is through food like in ground beef, venison, sausages, dried (non-cooked) salami, unpasteurized milk and cheese, unpasteurized apple juice and cider, alfalfa, parsley, radish sprouts, lettuce, cabbage, spinach, fruit, nuts, and berries, and cookie dough.

What information should Ami gather from the victims and their families?

Ami should gather what the victims have eaten prior to being sick.

Why do children seem to be the most ill?

The children seem to be the most ill because their immune system isn't fully developed and are weak, so they are at an increased risk of serious complications from E. coli.

How does this bacterium damage its victims?

The bacterium damages its victims by leading to hemorrhagic diarrhea and kidney failure. It causes, HUS or hemolytic uremic syndrome where the red blood cells are demolished resulting in low platelet count, thus resulting in acute kidney failure. The consumption of contaminated foods causing E. coli is because they produce Shiga toxin or Stx, which causes the aforementioned symptoms. These Shiga toxin producing E. coli enter the body's intestinal tracts and cases the infection.

5. What should be the course of treatment?

The course of treatment for E. coli is that there are no treatments that can remedy the infection, dissipate the symptoms, and prevent complexities. The best treatment is to pay close attention to fluids and nutrition. It is to ensure the patients get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluids for dehydration and fatigue. As well, it is advised not to consume anti-diarrhea medicine because this can slow the digestive system, which will hamper his or her body eliminating the toxins.

6. Based on this additional information, how do you think the pies became contaminated?

The pies were contaminated by that when the contaminated hamburgers were contaminated with the E. coli and when it leaked, remnants went onto the berries in the refrigerator. As well, it is possible it went on to leak to the kitchen space where Miss Emma prepared to make the pies. So, when Miss Emma went to make her pies with contaminated ingredients on the contaminated space, the E. coli infected the end product and making people sick.

7. What would you expect from the cultures of the counter?

I would expect to find some remnants of the E. coli on the counter.

8. What other objects would you culture in the kitchen? Why?

I would also culture the equipment that she used in making the pies and cutting up the fruit or the whisk to mix the ingredients together. I would culture every tool Miss Emma used, the refrigerator where the hamburger thawed and leaked, and the spaces she worked at.

9. What would you expect to find from the kitchen samples?

I would expect to find some strains of the E. coli, which helped to contribute to the outbreak.

10. Miss Emma cleans well. How is it that some E. coli survived?

Some of the E. coli survived probably because she didn't scrub or clean thoroughly enough. As well, she may have had some on her hands when she came into contact with the thawed hamburger meat, she didn't wash her hands or she didn't wash them enough, and transferred it onto the counter. Once there was a little bit of the bacterium, it multiplies fast and can survive for a long time.