And so, #14DaysofMicrobiologyPoems continues.
I reached out to the science Twitterverse earlier this month in search of 14 microbes worthy of poems.
Here is Poem Ten, requested by @ProfMicrobe.
Campylobacter jejuni: stealthy food poisoning
When it comes to food poisoning,
E. coli and Salmonella first come to mind.
But you know what?
It’s actually Campylobacter jejuni that tops the charts.
It’s the most common cause of food poisoning in the US.
Have you heard of it?
Most cases occur here and there,
Not like the major outbreaks that make the news.
And while it’s the number one cause of food poisoning,
It’s the least deadly.
It hides out in birds and other animals,
Not causing any problems there
As part of their normal flora.
Ubiquitous in the environment.
C. jejuni also dwells in water reservoirs, streams, and lakes.
There, C. jejuni survives,
But not growing,
For quite some time.
Hidden.
Viable but non culturable.
But waiting,
Waiting for its host
That unfortunate human.
Further reading:
