Food Intoxication Mysteries
Case Studies 2009
Case 1
Patient is a 25 year old male, recently returned from active duty in Iraq. A
week after his return, he developed the following symptoms: fever of 101° F
(moderate), severe diarrhea, slight body ache, slight stomach ramps.
Symptoms continued 19 days from onset. Patient drank unpasteurized milk in
the last 48 hours. Fecal culture shows gram-negative bacilli.
Case 2
Patient is a 45 year old woman. strict vegetarian (except that she eats
eggs).Symptoms are: moderate diarrhea, some vomiting, few abdominal
cramps, slight fever. Nausea and vomiting ceased with the onset of diarrhea.
Symptoms persist for five days. Fecal culture contains mucus and blood, and
Gram-positive bacteria.
Case 3
Patient is a 45 year old homemaker. Two days after the family reunion picnic,
(to which she brought egg salad sandwiches), she developed fever, excessive
diarrhea containing blood and excessive mucus, and abdominal cramps.
Symptoms persisted for seven days, causing the patient to be hospitalized due
to dehydration.
Case 4
Patient is an active, robust 2 year old female child who attends daycare on a
dairy farm. Two days ago, the following symptoms ensued: bloody, severe
diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, no fever. The child is dehydrated and
listless. Fecal culture shows Gram negative bacilli.
Case 5
Patient is a woman, pregnant with her first child. She craves fresh, soft
cheeses. 50 hours after consuming several, her symptoms are: low-grade fever,
body aches, nausea, and diarrhea. Patient is very concerned about the safety
of her unborn child.
Case 6
Patient is a 95 year old grandfather. He lives with his son on the family farm.
Symptoms are general weakness, double vision, and trouble swallowing. Other
family members have been experiencing vomiting and diarrhea intermittently
during the last week. The family has a large vegetable garden and
cans/preserves the vegetables that they grow.