Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 15, 2026

A Modified EPA Method 1623 that Uses Tangential Flow Hollow-fiber Ultrafiltration and Heat Dissociation Steps to Detect Waterborne Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp.
12:11

A Modified EPA Method 1623 that Uses Tangential Flow Hollow-fiber Ultrafiltration and Heat Dissociation Steps to Detect Waterborne Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp.

Published on: July 9, 2012

21.2K

Cryptosporidium parvum Caused a Large Outbreak Linked to Frisée Salad in Finland, 2012

R Åberg1, M Sjöman1, K Hemminki2

  • 1Food Safety Department, Environment Centre, Helsinki, Finland.

Zoonoses and Public Health
|March 27, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Cryptosporidium parvum outbreaks in Finland were linked to frisée salad consumed at restaurants. This finding highlights the need for improved food safety measures for ready-to-eat vegetables to prevent future Cryptosporidium infections.

Area of Science:

  • Foodborne illness
  • Infectious disease epidemiology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Five Cryptosporidium parvum outbreaks occurred in Finland in late 2012, affecting over 250 individuals.
  • The outbreaks were traced to lunch meals consumed at restaurants across four cities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the source and transmission routes of Cryptosporidium parvum outbreaks linked to restaurant meals.
  • To identify common food items associated with the illness and determine risk factors for infection.

Main Methods:

  • Epidemiological investigation of outbreak cases and controls.
  • Subtyping of Cryptosporidium parvum isolates from patient stool samples (C. parvumIIdA17G1 subtype identified).
  • Case-control study analyzing food consumption, specifically lunch salads containing frisée salad.

Main Results:

  • Frisée salad was identified as the sole common food item across the affected restaurants.
  • Consumption of lunch salad containing frisée salad was significantly associated with illness (RR 2.66, P < 0.01).
  • Identical C. parvum subtypes in two outbreaks suggest a single common source of infection.

Conclusions:

  • Cryptosporidiosis outbreaks can be linked to contaminated ready-to-eat vegetables like frisée salad.
  • Enhanced testing of clinical samples for Cryptosporidium and improved prevention of vegetable contamination are crucial.
  • Further development of methods for testing frozen food samples is recommended to prevent future outbreaks.
Keywords:
Cryptosporidiumlunch saladoutbreak

More Related Videos

Studying Cryptosporidium Infection in 3D Tissue-derived Human Organoid Culture Systems by Microinjection05:31

Studying Cryptosporidium Infection in 3D Tissue-derived Human Organoid Culture Systems by Microinjection

Published on: September 14, 2019

10.4K
Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Triggered by Gardnerella vaginalis Bladder Exposure in Mice08:53

Recurrent Escherichia coli Urinary Tract Infection Triggered by Gardnerella vaginalis Bladder Exposure in Mice

Published on: December 4, 2020

7.0K

Related Concept Videos

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks01:23

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
60
Reservoir of Infection01:30

Reservoir of Infection

Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
61
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
759
Bacterial Gastroenteritis01:18

Bacterial Gastroenteritis

Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid...
63
Cholera01:25

Cholera

Cholera is an acute gastrointestinal disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route through the ingestion of contaminated water or food.Vibrio cholerae is a motile, Gram-negative bacterium of the family Vibrionaceae, primarily associated with waterborne outbreaks in areas with inadequate sanitation. Although over 200 serogroups of V. cholerae exist, only O1 and O139 are responsible for epidemic cholera. The O1 serogroup,...
92
Diversity of Protists II01:27

Diversity of Protists II

Alveolates are a group of organisms recognized by the presence of alveoli, which are cytoplasmic sacs located beneath the cell membrane. While their function remains uncertain, alveoli may help regulate water balance by controlling how much water enters and leaves the cell. In dinoflagellates, these structures may serve as armor plates. There are three major types of alveolates: ciliates, which move using cilia; dinoflagellates, which use flagella for movement; and apicomplexans, which are...
2.2K