title: Food poisoning and diarrhea: small intestine effects.
abstract: Transmission of foodborne pathogens remains a growing concern despite increasing public awareness and heightened federal measures to control infection. Over 76 million cases of acute diarrhea secondary to ingestion of contaminated food occur annually in the United States. Fortunately, most are self-limited and resolve without therapy, but up to 6000 deaths occur on an annual basis. Mechanisms of infection include consumption of a preformed toxin, formation of toxin following ingestion, and direct invasion of intestinal epithelial cells by the infecting organism. Diagnosis is most often confirmed through an accurate history, as cultures are often of low yield.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA. Cangemi.john@mayo.edu
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Cangemi
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000150:complications; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000821:virology; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D029322:Norovirus; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D001427:Bacterial Toxins