- 67 people from several US states became ill in late 2006 with bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps after consuming raw food from Taco Bell. 51 people were hospitalized and 8 developed kidney failure. - Tests identified the culprit as likely being Escherichia coli (E. coli), a gram-negative bacterium normally found in the intestines of mammals. E. coli was found to be sensitive to chloramphenicol and tetracycline antibiotics. - E. coli is spread through fecal-oral transmission and can contaminate food and water sources when fecal matter gets into the environment through farming practices like manure fertilization or irrigation with contaminated water. Chloramphenicol is effective at curing E

1. The Tacos are Trouble Mike and Yianni

2. Debriefing 67 people (from NJ, NY, PA, DE, and SC) became ill from November to December in 2006 Symptoms were bloody diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps 51 (76%) people needed to be hospitalized 8 (12%) developed kidney failure called hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) All individuals consumed raw Taco Bell food

3. The Digestive System We believe that the patients have Gastroenteritis (Stomach Flu) The stomach, large intestine, and rectum are affected

4. Possible Culprits Escherichia coli Pseudomonas aeruginosa Salmonella enterica Staphylococcus aureus Streptococcus pyogenes Haemophilus influenzae

5. Gram Test Gram positive Cell wall is made of a thick layer of peptidoglycan Gram negative Thin layer of peptidoglycan Gram positive bacteria are easier to treat than gram negative

6. Results of Gram Test Escherichia coli Gram negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa Gram negative Salmonella enterica Gram negative Staphylococcus aureus Gram positive Streptococcus pyogenes Gram positive Haemophilus influenzae Gram negative

7. LET'S GO TO THE VIDEO TAPE

8. Possible Cures Antibiotic Diameter MM Resistance Chloramphenol 23 Effective (Sensitive) Penicillian 0 Not effective (Resistant) Vancomycin 0 Not effective (Resistant) Tetracycline 19 Effective (Sensitive) Gentamycin 18 Effective (Sensitive) Strepomyocin 10 Not effective (Resistant)

9. Our Culprit?

10. Escherichia coli (E. coli)

11. Stuff Gram-negative Bacillus Rod shaped Not arranged in a chain Facultative anaerobe Mixed-acid fermentation

12. Other Stuff Found in lower intestine of mammals Live in areas with low levels of hydrogen When infecting the body, it produces enterotoxins These toxins increase the levels of cAMP in a cell The cell reacts by secreting water and chlorine ions

13. Faecal-oral transmission Faecal particles are consumed Farm contamination due to manure fertilization Irrigation with contaminated water Consumption of: Contaminated water Raw ground beef Raw seed sprouts

14. The Cure Chloramphenol is the most effective drug at curing E. coli.