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Unusually severe food poisoning from vanilla slices

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

Patricia A. Fenton ,
K. W. Dobson ,
A. Eyre  and
M. W. McKendrick
Patricia A. Fenton
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, S5 7AU
K. W. Dobson
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, S5 7AU
A. Eyre
Affiliation:
Environmental Health Department, Sheffield Metropolitan District Council
M. W. McKendrick
Affiliation:
Lodge Moor Hospital, Redmires Road, Sheffield 10
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Summary

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Thirty six people suffered from severe vomiting and diarrhoea 15 min to 3 h after eating vanilla slices from the same bakery. Five patients were admitted to hospital, and one developed unusual skin lesions after admission. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in large numbers from vanilla slices of the same batch as those giving rise to symptoms, and from five faecal specimens obtained from affected persons. Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis were also isolated from the slices. Unbaked custard provides an ideal environment for bacterial multiplication, especially when (as on this occasion) the ambient temperature is persistently high.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 93 , Issue 2 , October 1984 , pp. 377 - 380
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

References

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