Question by Aldebaran: Microbiology case study question!!?
On October 15th, a 40-year-old man was admitted to the hospital. He had a splitting headache, his legs were unsteady, and his vision was blurred. During examination, it was apparent that there was something wrong with his throat. It wasn’t sore, but it felt stiff and tight, and it was almost impossible for him to speak.
Over the next seven days, 28 people with similar symptoms were admitted to the hospital. During the investigation, it became apparent that the illnesses were due to meals consumed at one restaurant.
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So i need to figure out what was wrong with the man and whether it was food “infection” or “intoxication”
He had eaten a patty melt, sauteed onions, french fried potatoes, a potato salad, and a lettuce and tomato salad at the restaurant.
Any help would be appreciated!!!!! Thanks!!!
Best answer:
Answer by SibeDriver
Your information doesn’t say how long it was that the man ate at the restaurant before admission to the hospital. However, taking what you do know:
it took up to seven days for the other 28 people to show severe symptoms
>>>If we can assume they all ate at the restaurant on the same day–it suggests food contamination by microbial agent.
>>>If we can’t make that assumption but might make the assumption that after eating the people came into the hospital a reasonably short time later–it might suggest a toxin in the food.
From the food he consumed
>>>four probable/possible culprits–beef patty, potato salad, fresh lettuce or tomato
none of these would be very likely to harbor sufficient toxin –so bacterial contamination
>>>more information from the other patients would be necessary to narrow down the food source
BUT…from the single symptom of stiff/tight throat, I’d be suspecting botulinin toxin. This could be the direct result of botulinin toxin in the food. However, my bet is on production of the toxin by the contaminating bacteria.
Just speculation on my part, perhaps it helps you think/analyze this problem. Good luck with it.
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“microbiology food”
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Infection occurs within a few days because the bacteria needs time to multiply and produce toxin.
Intoxication has a early onset of a few hours to a day because you ingested the bacteria exotoxin directly. And since over a course of a week, people started to develop food poisoning symptoms, I would think it was an infection.