ALIMENTARY INFECTION OUTBREAK OF SALMONEL LA-ENTERITIDIS - POSSIBLE PROTECTOR EFFECT OF ALCOHOL INTAKE

BACKGROUND: On may 1994, a foodborne outbreak took place in Almazora ( Castellon, Spain) after a meal with 116 persons. A sanitary study was made to find out the causes and control the outbreak. SUBJECTS AND MET HODS: Inspection of the setting and a case-control study were carried out. Several foods and faecal specimens of 23 patients were investigat ed. We also study the effect of alcohol on the occurrence of the outbr eak. RESULTS: A hundred people was interviewed (86%), 58 ill persons, Salmonella enteritidis was isolated from faeces and statisticaly impli cated food (odds ratio = 75, IC 95 = 15.6-361), a sandwich with tuna, boiled eggs and vegetables. Among adults, epidemiological analysis sho wed a protective effect of alcohol, adjusted far age, sex and consumpt ion of the implicated food (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: In the study of fod dborne outbreaks by Salmonella enteritidis simultaneous consumption of alcoholic drinks and foods should be taken into account to explain sa me exposed non-cases.