2. Food Borne Diseases
Diseases caused by microorganisms
through food
Microorganisms can cause
Food spoilage
Diseases
3. Foodborne Diseases
Usually called “Food Poisoning” caused by
eating the food contaminated with toxin.
Two main types:
1. Toxin is produced in the food (exotoxin) causes
the disease called food poisoning
2. Food, being a mechanical carrier, carries
pathogens and cause disease on ingestion.
5. Other Organisms
Amoeba
Giardia lamblia
Entamoeba histolytica
Cryptosporidium
Fungi 100s of poisonous mushrooms
Aspergillus aflatoxins
Claviceps hallucinogens
Algae certain marine algae produce
neurotoxins contaminate shell fish
6. Intoxication vs. Infection
Intoxication
Manifested much
more quickly
Toxin is already
present to cause
harm
Toxin is the direct
cause of disease
Infection
Pathogen has to be
ingested
After a period of
incubation ,pathogen
establishes itself,
usually in the intestine
Causes infection
7. Transmission of Foodborne Diseases
4 main ways 4Fs
Food
Feces
Fingers
Flies
Food is the immediate source of the
pathogen/toxin
May be acquired by close contact with an
infected person or a carrier
Involves the fecal-oral route
8. General Measures of Prevention
Clean & store produce properly
Prepare food properly cooking adequately
Employ general sanitary procedures while
handling food
Eat cooked food promptly
Restrict carriers from food preparation
Protect food from insects, rodents
Use pure water
9. Prevention cont…
Based on the route of transmission two
main ways of prevention
1. Reduce the possibility of food handlers
contaminating food
( education in general hygiene)
2. Keep cold foods cold, hot foods hot
( serve foods when prepared or keep
refrigerated, do not allow foods to sit at
room temperature)
11. Staphylococcal Food Poisoning
Staphylococcus aureus gm +ve
Humans harbor these organisms, present in
boils, skin lesions
Food poisoning is caused when staph is
transferred from person to food
Could come from an open boil, lesions sneeze, etc
12. Staphylococcal Food Poisoning
Exotoxins are heat stable proteins known as
enterotoxins (affecting the intestines)
Inhibit water absorption from the intestine &
induce diarrhea & vomiting
Damages the intestinal lining colitis
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea
Onset 1-6 hours after eating the contaminated
food
13. Clostridium botulinum & Botulism
C. botulinum Gm(+) , endospore
forming organism, anaerobic
Present in soil, ponds and lakes
14. Botulism
Infrequent, but fatal
Caused by exotoxins produced by
C. botulinum most deadly
biological toxin neurotoxin and
affects the CNS
16. Clostridium perfringes
Anaerobic spore former
Present in soil & intestines of humans and
animals hence also in sewage
Typical illness diarrhea, abdominal cramps,
nausea and vomiting
Sickness lasts a day, incubation period is
usually 6—24 hours
Prevention: refrigerate food and cook
adequately