Under the microscope: Enterobacter sakazakii

摘要

E sakazakii contamination of infant formula milk has hit the international food industry headlines in recent times. The Department of Food Science at Stellenbosch University has evaluated its presence in local products, with this report by Francisca Kemp and Dr Corli Witthuhn. IN recent years several members of the genus Enterobacter have been recognised as important pathogens that cause infections in individuals while they are in hospital. Enterobacter species are in general responsible for 50% of nosocomial infections, mostly in immuno-compromised patients. Enterobacter species are opportunistic pathogens and rarely cause disease in an otherwise healthy individual. E sakazakii is a less common Enterobacter species, but a malicious cause of neonatal sepsis, and meningitis and can cause a severe form of neonatal meningitis. Little is known about its ecology, taxonomy, virulence and other characteristics. Even low levels of contamination of E sakazakii in powdered infant formula milk (IFM) is considered to be a risk given the potential for multiplication during the preparation and holding time prior to the consumption of reconstituted formula.