Meningococcal purpura fulminan disease (type of food poisoning)

In summary, a 19-year-old ate leftover rice and noodles that had been stored in an improperly heated steamer, and hours later was admitted to the hospital with multiple organ failure and had both his legs and all his fingers amputated.
  • #1
Astronuc
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
2023 Award
22,180
6,840

A teen ate leftover rice and noodles. Hours later, doctors amputated his legs and fingers​

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news...od-disease-amputated-legs-fingers/6890754001/

Hours after eating improperly stored leftovers from a restaurant, a 19-year-old was admitted to the hospital with multiple organ failure and had both his legs and all his fingers amputated.

The Massachusetts college student had eaten rice, chicken and lo mein from a restaurant.

The teenager was admitted to a hospital for "shock, multiple organ failure, and rash,” and his condition quickly declined. He experienced abnormal breathing, high blood pressure and vomiting. The student had been healthy overall with regular drinking and smoking habits, the report said.

After further tests, he was diagnosed with meningococcal purpura fulminan disease, . . .

The article later mentions bacterium . . .
the dangers of improperly storing leftover rice because items such as rice and pasta contain a bacterium called Bacillus cereus. The bacteria produces a toxin when heated and left out too long, . . .

https://nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/Preventing-Foodborne-Illness-Bacillus-cereus.pdf

The meningococcal purpura fulminans disease is a nasty illness!
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28334263/
Purpura fulminans (PF) is a dreadful and frequent complication of Neisseria meningitidis invasive infection, and is associated with a high mortality rate. This syndrome begins with dermal microvessels thrombosis that rapidly lead to hemorrhagic skin necrosis. In this review, we discuss the prothrombotic events occurring during meningococcal infection.
Neisseria meningitidis - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/meningococcal-disease

So the meningococcal purpura fulminans infection (assuming Neisseria meningitidis) would seem to be rare in most modern developed nations.
In the US - https://www.cdc.gov/foodborneburden/PDFs/pathogens-complete-list.pdf (missing Neisseria meningitidis)

The usual suspects for food poisoning:
https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/foodborne-germs.html
 
  • Like
Likes Klystron, Lnewqban and BillTre
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #2
Are we going to be seeing more of this as a consequence of supply chain interruptions, "sorry rather than safe" approaches to warehousing/storage/control of food waste? Wet/damp cracker packages and the like being placed on store shelves rather than the "combat loss"/common sense approach, straight to the dumpster...
 
  • #3
I think this particular example is the result poor kitchen practices, with later bad cold food storage.

Places that sell prepared rice have a large steamer full of partially cooked white rice - which is then reheated quickly. If the steamer is not maintained at a safe temperature (about ~145F), B. cereus pathogens can grow on the room temp rice. A quick trip though the wok does not undo all of the problem - then letting it sit for hours in a dorm room does not help either. Brown/red/black rice varieties require more than double the cooking time of white rice.

I always ask for brown rice...
 
  • Like
Likes Klystron and Lnewqban
  • #4
In a related anecdote my normally frugal wife refused to store or serve day-old rice in her restaurants or home. As mentioned above fresh rice was served hot directly from a rice maker kept on throughout the day.
 
  • Like
Likes Astronuc and jim mcnamara
  • #5
To be honest, this report doesn't make much sense. I don't know why Bacillus cereus was mentioned, this is a very common cause of food poisoning which doesn't share any of these symptoms. The report describes a meningococcal septicemia which is thankfully rare, its contracted from the spit or saliva of someone carrying the bacterium, (coughing or kissing) not from food. The risk is considered greatest in 11-18 year olds, with a single vaccination offering protection for around 5 years, but many colleges require a booster dose, but the vaccines only cover the most common strains. I expect the public health people will be investigating this case in some detail.
 

FAQ: Meningococcal purpura fulminan disease (type of food poisoning)

What is meningococcal purpura fulminan disease?

Meningococcal purpura fulminan disease, also known as meningococcal sepsis or meningococcal meningitis, is a serious bacterial infection caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. It can lead to life-threatening complications such as organ failure and death if not treated promptly.

How is meningococcal purpura fulminan disease transmitted?

The bacteria that cause meningococcal purpura fulminan disease are spread through respiratory secretions, such as saliva or mucus, of an infected person. This can happen through close contact, such as coughing, sneezing, or kissing, or by sharing items like utensils or drinks.

What are the symptoms of meningococcal purpura fulminan disease?

The symptoms of meningococcal purpura fulminan disease can vary, but typically include high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion, and a rash of small purple or red spots. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

How is meningococcal purpura fulminan disease diagnosed?

Meningococcal purpura fulminan disease is diagnosed through a combination of physical examination, medical history, and laboratory tests. These tests may include blood cultures, spinal tap, and imaging tests. It is important to diagnose and treat this disease as soon as possible to prevent serious complications.

How can meningococcal purpura fulminan disease be prevented?

The best way to prevent meningococcal purpura fulminan disease is through vaccination. The meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for children and adolescents, and the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine is recommended for adults. It is also important to practice good hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

Back
Top