Finns Clostridium difficile i köttprodukter i Sverige?
en pilotstudie
Clostridium difficile is a grampositive, anaerobe bacteria with a spore-forming ability. The bacteria is present in the environment, can be isolated from animals and is common in hospitals, where it is a known cause of severe diarrhoea in compromised patients. Lately scientists have been discussing whether Cl. difficile could be a new food-borne pathogen. The bacteria has been isolated from food-producing animals and from meat products.
In this pilot study 82 meat products, bought from swedish shops during a periode of four months, were investigated. The aim was to find out whether Cl. difficile was present in these food products. The bacteria was found in two of the food samples, and both the isolates were toxigenic.
Since this was a smaller study one cannot make any conclusions regarding the extent of presence of the bacteria in food products in Sweden. More extensive studies have to be performed.