Welcome New User! ( Create Account | Sign In )
 
Question

Submitted 327 days ago...

bbutler

bbutler

New User (1)

Eating banans with pork?

Several years ago I read an article about a type of illness called "Pig Belly." It was common in a region of Africa only during an annual celebration when bananas were eaten with pork. Can anyone confirm this? Could it have been Sweet potatoes and pork? My wife and I have a bet...She thinks it is sweet potatoes.

 
 
 
Answers
 

Answer 1 / 1

Submitted 325 days ago...

beautifulgrl

beautifulgrl

Authority (436)

I cant confirm this particular story, but it is true that pork causes most food-bourne illnesses.

In developing countries, enteritis necroticans can occur in children who eat large amounts of pork or in those who consume large meals after a period of starvation. Enteritis necroticans, also known as pigbel, is an often fatal illness characterized by hemorrhagic, inflammatory, or ischemic necrosis of the jejunum, occurs in developing countries but is rare in developed countries, where its occurrence is confined to adults with chronic illnesses. The causative organism of enteritis necroticans is Clostridium perfringens type C, an anaerobic gram-positive bacillus.

In December 1998, enteritis necroticans developed in a 12-year-old boy with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus after he consumed pig intestines (chitterlings). He presented with hematemesis, abdominal distention, and severe diabetic ketoacidosis with hypotension. At laparotomy, extensive jejunal necrosis required bowel resection, jejunostomy, and ileostomy. Samples were obtained for histopathological examination. Polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) assay was performed on paraffin-embedded bowel tissue with primers specific for the cpa and cpb genes, which code for the toxins produced by C. perfringens.

Histologic examination of resected bowel tissue showed extensive mucosal necrosis, the formation of pseudomembrane, pneumatosis, and areas of epithelial regeneration that alternated with necrotic segments — findings consistent with a diagnosis of enteritis necroticans. Gram's staining showed large gram-positive bacilli whose features were consistent with those of clostridium species. Through PCR amplification, we detected products of the cpa and cpb genes, which indicated the presence of C. perfringens type C. Assay of ileal tissue obtained during surgery to restore the continuity of the patient's bowel was negative for C. perfringens.

The preparation or consumption of chitterlings by diabetic patients and other chronically ill persons can result in potentially life-threatening infectious complications.

 
 

Answer This Question Now

If your Answer is chosen as the “accepted” answer, you will earn ongoing royalties on this thread.
Simply type your Answer in the box below and post your answer.

Email Subscriptions

Author adds clarification

All new responses

Related Questions
 

This Question has not been awarded yet.

Post your answer now!