Rare Infection Linked to Consumption of Unpasteurized Dairy Products Reported in India
Source: DairyNews.today
Scientists in India have reported a rare case of infection linked to the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, highlighting the risks associated with raw milk and its derivatives. The case involved a 58-year-old woman who fell seriously ill after consuming unpasteurized dairy products, leading to a significant health scare.
The infection was caused by Lactococcus lactis cremoris, a bacterium commonly used in the dairy industry for producing fermented products. Although Lactococcus lactis is typically considered safe and non-pathogenic, it is rarely implicated in human infections. The bacterium, which resides on the skin of cattle, can contaminate milk, posing a risk when dairy products are not pasteurized.
The patient, who was admitted to an emergency room with high-grade fever, vomiting, seizures, and loss of consciousness, had recently returned fr om a local pilgrimage wh ere she consumed raw dairy products. Her blood culture revealed the presence of Lactococcus lactis cremoris, suggesting a direct link between the consumption of unpasteurized milk and her infection.
According to researchers fr om the Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Ambala, this case underscores the potential dangers of consuming raw dairy products. Although bacteria used in food preparation are generally neutralized during digestion, Lactococcus lactis can remain viable even after passing through the gastrointestinal tract, leading to possible infections.
The woman was treated with intravenous doxycycline and made a full recovery after seven days, with follow-up tests showing sterile blood cultures. However, the rarity of such infections means there are no standardized treatment guidelines for Lactococcus lactis infections, making documentation of these cases crucial for future medical reference.
"While Lactococcus lactis was once considered non-pathogenic, it has emerged as an etiological agent in several human infections," the researchers noted. They emphasized the importance of clinicians considering Lactococcus lactis as a potential cause of infection in patients with a history of consuming unpasteurized dairy products.
The findings, published in Cureus, a Springer Nature journal, align with a similar case reported in the Journal of Medical Case Reports in 2023, wh ere a 56-year-old Moroccan man developed a liver abscess and endocarditis after consuming raw milk. Both cases highlight the potential health risks posed by unpasteurized dairy products, particularly in regions where raw milk consumption is prevalent.
The patient, who was admitted to an emergency room with high-grade fever, vomiting, seizures, and loss of consciousness, had recently returned fr om a local pilgrimage wh ere she consumed raw dairy products. Her blood culture revealed the presence of Lactococcus lactis cremoris, suggesting a direct link between the consumption of unpasteurized milk and her infection.
According to researchers fr om the Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Ambala, this case underscores the potential dangers of consuming raw dairy products. Although bacteria used in food preparation are generally neutralized during digestion, Lactococcus lactis can remain viable even after passing through the gastrointestinal tract, leading to possible infections.
The woman was treated with intravenous doxycycline and made a full recovery after seven days, with follow-up tests showing sterile blood cultures. However, the rarity of such infections means there are no standardized treatment guidelines for Lactococcus lactis infections, making documentation of these cases crucial for future medical reference.
"While Lactococcus lactis was once considered non-pathogenic, it has emerged as an etiological agent in several human infections," the researchers noted. They emphasized the importance of clinicians considering Lactococcus lactis as a potential cause of infection in patients with a history of consuming unpasteurized dairy products.
The findings, published in Cureus, a Springer Nature journal, align with a similar case reported in the Journal of Medical Case Reports in 2023, wh ere a 56-year-old Moroccan man developed a liver abscess and endocarditis after consuming raw milk. Both cases highlight the potential health risks posed by unpasteurized dairy products, particularly in regions where raw milk consumption is prevalent.
