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Outbreaks of Enterobacter Sakazakii Linked to Infant Formula
Edited by: Mary Schroeder, M.S., R.D. & Pat Kendall, Ph.D., R.D., Colorado State - Winter 2003
Contaminated powdered infant formula used in neonatal intensive care units has been implicated in outbreaks of Enterobacter sakazakii infections around the world. In one case reported recently in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports, a premature infant became infected with the bacteria, developed meningitis and died, despite treatment. The hospital's sanitation practices were reviewed and found to be satisfactory. The CDC and Tennessee Department of Health traced the infection to contaminated powder formula used to feed infants in the intensive care unit.
This November, the FDA issued a national recall of some powdered formulas produced by Wyeth Nutritionals Inc. after E. sakazakii was found in a manufacturing plant in Georgia. This recall affected Colorado when the formulas involved in the recall were found in Colorado as reported by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The product has various names and has been distributed to Albertsons, Amway, K-Mart, Safeway, Target, Wal-Mart, and Walgreens. For a complete listing of the brand names of this product, visit the CDPHE's news release at www.cdphe.state.co.us/ release/2002/110602.html. There have not been any illnesses connected with this recall.
E. sakazakii is a gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium that can cause a rare infection in people-most cases involving infants. Research suggests that premature infants or those who have other medical conditions are more susceptible to this infection. Most reported cases of infection are severe, including sepsis (bacteria in the blood), meningitis, or necrotizing enterocolitis (severe intestinal infection). Neurological damage may be permanent, and the death rate is reported to be as high as 33%.
Sources: Enterobacter sakazakii infections associated with the use of powdered infant formula-Tenn., 2001. MMWR 51:298-300, 2002. www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ mm5114a1.htm. Recalled baby formula found in Colorado stores. Colo. Dept. of Public Health & Env. News Release. www.cdphe.state. co.us/release/2002/110602.html. Health professionals letter on Enterobacter sakazakii infections associated with use of powdered (dry) infant formulas in neonatal intensive care units. FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. www.cfsan.fda.gov/ ~dms/inf-ltr3.html. 