Food-borne infections and intoxications

Overview

The most common food-borne infections in the Czech Republic are salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis. The number of reported salmonellosis cases has declined in recent years, while campylobacteriosis has been reported with increasing frequency since 1985 and has become the leading intestinal disease in many European countries. The highest age-specific incidence rates of salmonellosis have been observed in 0 and 1–4 year-old outpatients and in older hospitalised patients with other underlying diseases. The most frequent causative agent is Salmonella Enteritidis. The suspected vehicle can be best traced in outbreaks. Most Salmonella outbreaks are associated with collective catering (school and business canteens, etc.) and family celebrations where home-made pastries and specialities and products containing eggs and mayonnaise are commonly served.

Campylobacteriosis, which is most frequently caused by Campylobacter jejuni, has shown the greatest increase in the youngest age groups (0 and 1–4-year-olds), which suggests poorer hygiene in food processing and handling (particularly in households). The most commonly suspected vehicles of infection are chicken and minced meat.

Recently, attention has been paid to listeriosis cases and outbreaks. A relatively high fatality rate of 20–30 % has been reported in immunocompromised individuals (patients with other underlying diseases such as malignancies and immunosuppressed patients), particularly in higher age groups.

In the Czech Republic, an increase in hepatitis E following a primary food-borne infection has been observed, independently of imported sources. Food-borne viral infections have also shown an upward trend. Bacterial food intoxications included in food-borne infections are caused by toxin producers, with botulinum toxin and toxins produced by some strains of golden Staphylococcus being clinically most important.

Key words:
food-borne infections, food-borne intoxications, bacterial toxins, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, listeriosis, epidemiologic aspects