[Staphylogenic food poisoning in a children's home (author's transl)]

Disease affected a group of 56 children in a children's convalescent home. In the samples taken from the stomach as well as in the samples of the vomit brought up by the affected children, in which the remains of porridge oats were recognizable, cluster cocci were identified in the microscopic preparations. The latter were classified by culture growing and lysotypy into various staphylococcal phagotypes. These staphylococci were identified as enterotoxin A and enterotoxin C2 formers. Stains of staphylococci isolated from swabs taken from the throat, nose and hands of the persons engaged in the preparation of the porridge oats were of the same staphylococcal phage groups. Consequently it would appear that these persons contaminated the oats. The oats had been left overnight at about 2.5 centigrade and were served to 58 children at 7.45 in the morning. Around 9.30 the first cases presented. By about 12.00 their number had risen to 56. However, 24 hours later 41 children were again free from complaints despite the initial shock-like nature of the life-endangering conditions (vomiting, diarrhoea, circulatory disorders).