Epidemiological investigation and laboratory analysis of a food poisoning in school caused by Staphylococcus aureus
Objective To conduct an epidemiological investigation and laboratory analysis on the causes and suspected risk factors of a food poisoning incident in school,and propose effective prevention and control measures.Methods The on-site epidemiological and hygiene investigations were used to understand the disease situation and suspected food.The samples of suspected food,external environment,and cases were collected for fluorescence quantitative PCR detection,separation and identification of Staphylococcus aureus,drug sensitivity analysis,and whole genome sequencing.Results There were a total of 11 patients,with the main clinical symptoms being nausea and abdominal pain(100%),followed by vomiting(81.82%).The suspected food was a"crispy baguette puff"produced by a certain bakery,and the pathogenic factor was Staphylococcus aureus type A enterotoxin.Staphylococcus aureus from the food puff sample and Staphylococcus aureus from the patient's anal swab sample had homology,and the detected Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to penicillin(100%resistance rate).Conclusion This food poisoning incident is caused by a bakery employee,who carries Staphylococcus aureus and contaminates food during the process of making"baguette puff",resulting in Staphylococcus aureus type A enterotoxin poisoning.