Diagnosis and Evaluation of Food contamination
Food poisoning is usually diagnosed by specific laboratory tests that identify the specific organism which cause the illness. Bacteria such as Campylobacter, Salmonella spp. and E. coli are identified through stool culture. Parasites can be identified through microscopic examination of ova and cysts. Viruses are usually identified by stool samples examination for genetic markers of a specific virus.
Blood cultures should be obtained when bacteremia or systemic infection is suspected. Direct antigen detection tests and molecular biology techniques are available for rapid identification of certain bacterial, viral and parasitic agents.
A differential diagnosis should include the underlying medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, malignancy, use of medication (particularly antibiotic), malabsorption syndromes and immune deficiencies.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: September 19,2009