Abstract
An outbreak of diarrhoea in a hotel affected 25 time keepers attending the 1997 Mediterranean Games. Epidemiological investigation implicated a 'pasta al ragù' consumed at the hotel's restaurant and Clostridium perfringens food poisoning was identified by direct detection of C. perfringens enterotoxin in patients' stools. This report confirms that a careful evaluation of epidemiological features, together with the availability of direct and rapid laboratory methods, may lead to a prompt identification of C. perfringens food poisoning.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Clostridium Infections / diagnosis*
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Clostridium Infections / epidemiology
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Clostridium perfringens / genetics
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Clostridium perfringens / isolation & purification*
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DNA, Bacterial / analysis
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Diarrhea / diagnosis
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Diarrhea / microbiology
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Disease Outbreaks*
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Enterotoxins / analysis*
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Enterotoxins / genetics
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Feces / microbiology*
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Female
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Foodborne Diseases / diagnosis*
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Foodborne Diseases / epidemiology
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Humans
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Italy / epidemiology
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Male
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Meat Products / microbiology
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Middle Aged
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Restaurants
Substances
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DNA, Bacterial
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Enterotoxins
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enterotoxin, Clostridium