The Outbreak of Foodborne Disease by Pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae Antimicrobial Resistance - A Review

Chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause contamination of food. The general signs and symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, headache, abdominal cramps, and fever. Paralysis and death could occur in severe infection. Most cases of food poisoning in Saudi Arabia are caused by the Enterobacteriaceae family of bacteria which is comprised of Shigella, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli. Most medications that are used to treat infections that are caused by these bacteria have become ineffective due to resistance. Escherichia coli reaches intestines due to fecal-oral contamination, consuming contaminated food, animal products, and water. Affected individuals present with fever, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, kidney failure, and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Some strains do not cause fever. Food hygiene is the best way of breaking the transmission cycle of Escherichia coli. Salmonella typhi is the causative agent of typhoid fever. The clinical picture of the affected individuals includes typhoid and non-typhoid symptoms. Typhoid symptoms include high fever, stomach pain, weakness, cough, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. On the other hand, non-typhoid signs are comprised of fever, septicemia, and prostration. Food contamination by Shigella spp. culminates in fever, cramps, diarrhea, and bloody stool. The microbe gets into healthy humans through contaminated food, tools, and water or via direct contact (like in sexual intercourse). Effective management of food poisoning entails rehydration, use of antibiotics, and encouraging adequate rest for the affected patients. One challenge that is likely to hamper the current treatment modality is the microbial resistance that the microbes have gained. Thus, new drugs have to be developed. The objectives and aims are to investigate the current biohazard of these types of microbes on foods and human safety in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and across the world, as well as to identify mutated and antibiotic-resistant types.