Bacterial Food Poisoning

Bacterial Food Poisoning

Jessica Mason, MD, and Mel Herbert, MD

Background

• Symptoms occur as a result of preformed toxin
• Patient will usually present with recent foreign travel

Clinical Findings

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea (bloody vs non-bloody)
• Dehydration
• Scombroid can present with urticaria and pruritus
• Ciguatera - hot/cold reversal, sensation of loose teeth, and paresthesias

Management

• Rehydration therapy
• Scombroid is treated with antihistamines

How You Will Be Tested

• Key word associations
• Potato salad - Staphylococcus aureus
• Reheated fried rice - Bacillus cereus
• Traveler’s diarrhea - Escherichia coli
• Contaminated meat and poultry - Clostridium perfringens
• Contaminated water or shellfish - Vibrio cholerae (metabolic acidosis)
• Metallic or peppery tasting fish - scombroid
• Hot/cold reversal, paresthesias after eating grouper or mackerel: ciguatera