A 34-year-old female reports to the emergency room in Boston,Massachusetts complaining of severe watery diarrhea, abdominalcramps and nausea. She had not eaten anything since the previousevening, when she and some friends met for happy hour at the localseafood restaurant. The emergency room physician noted that severalother patients who had eaten at that restaurant had also come in tothe hospital in the last few hours, complaining of similarsymptoms. MacConkey plates showed a non-fermenting organism, and agram stain showed a curved, gram-negative organism.
What is the most likely organism causing this woman’sinfection?
What laboratory testing should be performed to confirm thisdiagnosis, and what are the expected results? Include any specialmedia as well as routine biochemical testing.
What is the best treatment for this patient? What is the typicalpattern of susceptibility for this organism?
What are the public health concerns related to this case – whatwill the state’s health department do to investigate thissituation?
