Occurrence of Burkholderia cepacia in foods and waters: clinical implications for patients with cystic fibrosis.
Two hundred forty-eight retail "ready-to-eat" foodstuffs in eight food categories and 134 waters categorized into nine types were analyzed for the presence of the Burkholderia cepacia complex of organisms. Of these, 14 of 26 (53.8%) samples of raw unpasteurized bovine milk were positive for this organism. Consumption of raw unpasteurized milk may therefore act as a potential source of infection with this organism, which is of particular concern for patients with cystic fibrosis, where colonization and infection with this organism can lead to a fatal necrotizing pneumonia and premature death. In addition to the associated risk of infection from fecal pathogens, patients with cystic fibrosis should therefore avoid the consumption of raw unpasteurized milk to minimize the risk of becoming infected with this organism.
Moore
J E
JE
Department of Bacteriology, Belfast City Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. jemoore@niphl.dnet.co.uk
McIlhatton
B
B
Shaw
A
A
Murphy
P G
PG
Elborn
J S
JS
D000818:Animals; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D016956:Burkholderia cepacia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications*; D005504:Food Analysis; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008892:Milk / Q000382:microbiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis*; D014871:Water Microbiology
D014867:Water