Chapter 54, Problem 1SAQ

Summary Introduction

To name: Three enteric pathogens having primary medical importance.

Introduction: The microbes that affect the intestine of an individual are referred to as enteric pathogens. The enteric pathogens are gastrointestinal organisms that can spread by contaminated foods of animal origin or among individuals who might be carriers of these pathogens.

Explanation of Solution

The three important pathogens of primary medical importance are strains of E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella. E. coli is an opportunistic pathogen and it is a resident of the colon. It could cause urinary tract infections, wound infections, meningitis, and sepsis. They cause clinical diseases in immunocompromised patients. Certain strains of E. coli generate a toxin that damages blood vessel and causes severe bloody diarrhea.

Salmonella and Shigella are not the normal flora of humans. The infections caused by Salmonella involve typhoid fever, septicemia, and gastroenteritis. This microbe is found to be one of the major causes of food-borne illnesses. Some strains of Salmonella species causing typhoid fever could exist in the host for more than a year.

Shigella is responsible for causing dysentery. The severity of infections varies among different species. Humans are the only known reservoir for these pathogens.