Question

A student came down with severe diarrhea and vomiting after spring break at Cancun, Mexico. Laboratory tests of stool samples from the patient confirmed a gram negative bacterial pathogen as the cause of infection. Further analysis revealed the presence of facultative anaerobic, non-endospore forming, non-encapsulated, oxidase negative bacteria. Based on the above information develop a hypothesis to identify the genus of the causative agent of infection. Your hypothesis should include a logical explanation of the reason behind your choice of the causative agent.

Answer 1

According to the morphology,signs and symptoms given the organism that caused infection is SALMONELLA species.These are the bacteria which causes most common type of food poisoning.The most common bacteria which causes gastroenteritis is Salmonella enteritidis.Their pathogenicity is conferred due to the ability to invade intestinal mucosa and produce toxins.The most common symptoms observed are diarrhea with fever ,nausea,vomiting and abdominal cramps.This organism is gram negative bacteria,non-encapsulated,oxidase negative,facultative anaerobe.