Question

Compare and contrast the concepts of food intoxication and GI infections. In your answer, name at least one specific example of each of the following: bacterial food intoxication, bacterial GI infectious pathogen, viral GI infectious pathogen.

Answer 1

Compare :

• In both cases, the toxins are responsible
• Damage is caused to the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract, mostly the colon.

Contrast:

• In food intoxication, the microbial agent grows on the food and  releases toxins to the food which when ingested  results in infection while in GI , the food with live bacteria in it is ingested that reach the intestine, grow there and cause inglammation of stomach and small intestine.
• Food intoxication is mostly bacteria while GI infections could be bacterial, viral or parasitic.
• Example of food intoxication is :Food poisoning by Clostridium botulinum
• Example of GI :Diarrhea and vomitting caused by E.coli, Rotavirus causing gastroenteritis.