Which pathogen is most commonly associated with foodborne disease requiring hospitalization and death?

Which pathogen is most commonly associated with foodborne disease requiring hospitalization and death?

• A. Listeria
• B. Salmonella
• C. Norovirus
• D. Campylobacter

Answer: (B)

When thinking about severe outcomes from foodborne infections, the important idea is the combination of how common the pathogen is and how often it leads to serious disease in vulnerable people. Salmonella stands out because it is a very common cause of foodborne illness and it has a notable risk of progressing to invasive disease, bloodstream infection, and septic complications, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. This combination leads to more hospitalizations and deaths linked to Salmonella than other common foodborne pathogens. Norovirus, while responsible for the most illnesses overall, typically causes milder gastroenteritis and hospitalization is less frequent. Listeria causes severe disease too, particularly in pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly, but it occurs far less often, so the total number of hospitalizations and deaths is not as high as with Salmonella. Campylobacter is a common cause of gastroenteritis as well, but its rate of hospitalization and severe outcomes is generally lower than that of Salmonella.

When thinking about severe outcomes from foodborne infections, the important idea is the combination of how common the pathogen is and how often it leads to serious disease in vulnerable people. Salmonella stands out because it is a very common cause of foodborne illness and it has a notable risk of progressing to invasive disease, bloodstream infection, and septic complications, especially in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. This combination leads to more hospitalizations and deaths linked to Salmonella than other common foodborne pathogens.

Norovirus, while responsible for the most illnesses overall, typically causes milder gastroenteritis and hospitalization is less frequent. Listeria causes severe disease too, particularly in pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly, but it occurs far less often, so the total number of hospitalizations and deaths is not as high as with Salmonella. Campylobacter is a common cause of gastroenteritis as well, but its rate of hospitalization and severe outcomes is generally lower than that of Salmonella.