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\t\tTypes of microorganisms that cause foodborne illness<\/h3>\n
Microorganisms that cause foodborne illness are basically divided into seven groups:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Bacteria:<\/strong> Bacteria (singular bacterium) are unicellular organisms. The cells are described as prokaryotic because they lack a nucleus. They exist in four major shapes: bacillus (rod shape), coccus (spherical shape), spirilla (spiral shape), and vibrio (curved shape).<\/li>\n
- Viruses:<\/strong> Viruses are noncellular entities that consist of a nucleic acid core (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. Although viruses are classified as microorganisms, they are not considered living organisms. Viruses cannot reproduce outside a host cell and cannot metabolize on their own.<\/li>\n
- Archaea:<\/strong> Archaea or Archaebacteria differ from true bacteria in their cell wall structure and lack peptidoglycans. They are prokaryotic cells with avidity to extreme environmental conditions.<\/li>\n
- Protozoa:<\/strong> Protozoa are unicellular aerobic eukaryotes. They have a nucleus, complex organelles, and obtain nourishment by absorption or ingestion through specialized structures.<\/li>\n
- Fungi:<\/strong> Fungi (mushroom, molds, and yeasts) are eukaryotic cells (with a true nucleus).<\/li>\n
- Algae:<\/strong> Algae, also called cyanobacteria or blue-green algae, are unicellular or multicellular eukaryotes that obtain nourishment by photosynthesis. They live in water, damp soil, and rocks and produce oxygen and carbohydrates used by other organisms.<\/li>\n
- Multicellular Animal Parasites:<\/strong> A group of eukaryotic organisms consisting of the flatworms and roundworms, which are collectively referred to as the helminths. Although they are not microorganisms by definition, since they are large enough to be easily seen with the naked eye, they live a part of their life cycle in microscopic form.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t![\"bacteria_virus_food_hazards_contamination_safety_illness\"](\"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcertification.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/bacteria_virus_food_hazards_contamination_safety_illness_shutterstock_1453571630-2.jpg\")
\t\t\n\t\t\tImage Source: Shutterstock<\/span>\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n <\/div>\nPathogenic Microorganisms<\/h3>\n
Microorganisms are also categorized according to their activity (i.e., “pathogenic\u201d, “spoilage”, and “useful”).<\/p>\n
Pathogenic microorganisms are disease-causing microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, and parasites). A pathogen is a biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host, and possibly may even cause death. Illness is caused by living microorganism or toxin (microbial waste product) being consumed to cause symptoms associated with specific microorganism.<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t![\"virus_food_safety_illness\"](\"http:\/\/foodsafetytrainingcertification.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/virus_food_safety_illness_shutterstock_1098015320.jpg\")
\t\t\n\t\t\tImage Source: Shutterstock<\/span>\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t<\/figure>\n\n <\/div>\nDifferences Between Bacteria and Viruses Chart<\/h3>\n
Bacteria and viruses are both microscopic organisms that can cause illness and disease in humans. While they are both microorganisms, they are very different.<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n \n Bacteria<\/h3>\n<\/th>\n
\n Viruses<\/h3>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Prokaryotic Cells<\/td>\n Viruses are not cells but non-living, infectious particles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Bacteria are typically much larger than viruses and can be viewed under a light microscope. Their sizes range from 200-1000 nanometers.<\/td>\n Viruses are about 1,000 times smaller than bacteria. Viruses are among the smallest infectious agents. Their sizes range from 20 to 300 nanometers. Most viruses cannot be seen by light microscopy can only be seen by electron microscopy.
\nPathogenesis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n Most bacteria are harmless or often beneficial, but some bacteria are pathogenic, or cause human disease.<\/td>\n Unlike bacteria, most viruses cause human disease.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Bacteria reproduce asexually (through fission) independently of other organisms. Binary fission involves the division of a single cell, which results in the formation of two cells that are genetically identical.<\/td>\n Viruses can not exist independently of other organisms as they must take over a living cell in order to reproduce. A virus attaches itself to cells and usually reprograms them to reproduce itself. Viruses do not have cells that divide. New viruses are assembled in the infected host cell.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Bacteria grow more favorably in foods that are warm, moist, protein-rich, and low in acid.<\/td>\n Viruses can only multiply inside living cells of other organisms and do not multiply in or on foods.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, E. Coli, Listeria monocytogenes,<\/td>\n Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio, and Yersinia enterocolitica
\nhepatitis A, norovirus, and rotavirus<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/h3>\n
Foodborne Illness Statistics<\/h3>\n
The CDC estimates that each year 48 million people get sick from a foodborne illness, 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die.<\/p>\n
To prevent foodborne illness, it is necessary to understand how food becomes unsafe to eat and what proactive measures can be taken to keep food safe.<\/p>\n
- Viruses:<\/strong> Viruses are noncellular entities that consist of a nucleic acid core (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat. Although viruses are classified as microorganisms, they are not considered living organisms. Viruses cannot reproduce outside a host cell and cannot metabolize on their own.<\/li>\n
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