Direct detection of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin in patients' stools during an outbreak of food poisoning

FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 1999 Jan;23(1):45-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-695X.1999.tb01715.x.

Abstract

An outbreak of diarrhoea in a hotel affected 25 time keepers attending the 1997 Mediterranean Games. Epidemiological investigation implicated a 'pasta al ragù' consumed at the hotel's restaurant and Clostridium perfringens food poisoning was identified by direct detection of C. perfringens enterotoxin in patients' stools. This report confirms that a careful evaluation of epidemiological features, together with the availability of direct and rapid laboratory methods, may lead to a prompt identification of C. perfringens food poisoning.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Clostridium Infections / diagnosis*
  • Clostridium Infections / epidemiology
  • Clostridium perfringens / genetics
  • Clostridium perfringens / isolation & purification*
  • DNA, Bacterial / analysis
  • Diarrhea / diagnosis
  • Diarrhea / microbiology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Enterotoxins / analysis*
  • Enterotoxins / genetics
  • Feces / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Foodborne Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Foodborne Diseases / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Meat Products / microbiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Restaurants

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Enterotoxins
  • enterotoxin, Clostridium