Belief or Fact?

Anonymous
October 2, 2011 at 10:11 am

Beliefs are one thing. Documented case histories and so called ‘intellectual’ publications such as scientific journals present a different picture. Entirely.

“[I]..Abstract – Species within the genus, Campylobacter, have emerged over the last three decades as significant clinical pathogens, particularly of human public health concern, [COLOR=”Purple”]where the majority of acute bacterial enteritis [B]in the Western world[/B] is due to these organisms[/COLOR]….”

Define enteritis: “…Enteritis is usually caused by eating or drinking substances that are contaminated with bacteria or viruses. The germs settle in the small intestine and cause inflammation and swelling, which may lead to abdominal pain…”[/I]

“.[I]..Abstract
Since the eradication of polio in most parts of the world, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has become the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis. GBS is an autoimmune disorder of the peripheral nervous system characterized by weakness, usually symmetrical, evolving over a period of several days or more. Since laboratories began to isolate Campylobacter species from stool specimens some 20 years ago, there have been many reports of GBS following Campylobacter infection. Only during the past few years has strong evidence supporting this association developed. [COLOR=”Red”]Campylobacter infection is now known as the single most identifiable antecedent infection associated with the development of GBS. [/COLOR]Campylobacter is thought to cause this autoimmune disease through a mechanism called molecular mimicry, whereby Campylobacter contains ganglioside-like epitopes in the lipopolysaccharide moiety that elicit autoantibodies reacting with peripheral nerve targets. Campylobacter is associated with several pathologic forms of GBS, including the demyelinating (acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy) and axonal (acute motor axonal neuropathy) forms. Different strains of Campylobacter as well as host factors likely play an important role in determining who develops GBS as well as the nerve targets for the host immune attack of peripheral nerves. The purpose of this review is to summarize our current knowledge about the clinical, epidemiological, pathogenetic, and laboratory aspects of campylobacter-associated GBS. …[/I]”

from: [url]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC88896/[/url]

“…[I]Campylobacter

[COLOR=”Red”]Campylobacter jejuni is the most common cause of bacterial foodborne illness in the United States. [/COLOR]Over 6,000 cases of Campylobacter infection were reported in 2009 alone, but many cases are not reported to public health authorities. A 2011 report from the CDC estimates that Campylobacter causes approximately 845,000 illnesses in the United States each year.

Campylobacter is found most often in food, particularly in chicken. Food is contaminated when it comes into contact with animal feces. Any raw poultry may contain Campylobacter, including organic and “free range” products. [COLOR=”Red”]In fact, studies have found Campylobacter contamination on up to 88 percent of chicken carcasses. [/COLOR]Despite the commonness of Campylobacter, however, infections are usually isolated events, and widespread outbreaks are rare. [/I]

[url]http://www.foodborneillness.com/campylobacter_food_poisoning/[/url] hmm, seems to be a law firm advertisement. Wanna bet it’s based on fact?

Maybe this source is more believable: [url]http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/foodborneinfections_g.htm[/url]

“…[I]What are the most common foodborne diseases?

The most commonly recognized foodborne infections are those caused by the bacteria Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7, and by a group of viruses called calicivirus, also known as the Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses.

Campylobacter is a bacterial pathogen that causes fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. It is the most commonly identified bacterial cause of diarrheal illness in the world. These bacteria live in the intestines of healthy birds, and most raw poultry meat has Campylobacter on it. Eating undercooked chicken, or other food that has been contaminated with juices dripping from raw chicken is the most frequent source of this infection..[/I].”

Oh, gee, I almost forgot. The subject was water…

“[I]…[COLOR=”Red”]An estimated 20% of cases of illness caused by C. jejuni are due to vehicles of infection other than food, including water [/COLOR](6). Waterborne outbreaks of Campylobacter tend to occur in spring or early fall, an association attributed to seasonality of surface water contamination and infection in cattle herds…Excrement from birds and animals, including cattle, has been shown to contaminate surface water supplies used by humans infected with Campylobacter (9)…[/I]”

Facts, amazing, aren’t they?