Enterobacter sakazakii

Tuesday 30 November 1999

Over the last few years the above bacterium has been the cause of fatal meningitis, enterocolitis and similar illnesses in infants.  Present in the environment, it can find its way into milk-based infant formula feeds and despite the great care that goes into the manufacture to meet current standards, powdered infant formula is not a sterile product.

E sakazakii is also to some degree heat resistant, so that low numbers can be present in the formula. If contaminated powder is made up with water and then incubated for a few hours, this provides ideal conditions for rapid bacterial growth. Most healthy babies can tolerate the presence of the bacteria: however, the very young, particularly those less than 1 month old or in poor health, are susceptible to potentially fatal infections.

Eclipse’s laboratory in Ely, which tests pharmaceuticals for their freedom from pathogens, offers a rapid testing service for E sakazakii, with results available in just three days.