Cronobacter sakazakii is a gram-negative, motile, non-spore-forming, facultative anaerobic, bacillary-shaped, oxidase-negative, catalase-positive bacterium . Due to its ability to form biofilms and its resistance to desiccation, it can be found widely in soil, water, plants and animals, being able to grow in a wide range of temperatures (6°C-47°C).
Cronobacter sakazakii infection is uncommon worldwide, but presents a high proportion of cases with neurological complications and death. The infection causes diarrheal enteritis, which often turns bloody and, in some cases, can be complicated by meningitis that leaves neurological sequelae or ends in the death of the infected baby.
The organism has been isolated from various foods of vegetable or animal origin, both dehydrated, smoked, frozen, etc. C. sakazakii is an occasional contaminant of different foods such as cereals, porridges, dehydrated for special diets, foods for medical uses, and powdered infant formulas, being able to persist in these foods for at least 2 years due to their ability to withstand environments dry It is also necessary to consider powder preparations intended for elderly people and those intended for special medical uses given the special vulnerability of this population group.
Powder formulas
Powdered formulas are not sterile and, although they are heat treated during manufacture and conform to established microbiological criteria, they may occasionally contain low concentrations of microorganisms, including pathogens such as Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella enterica.
During manufacturing, microorganisms can be introduced into the powder preparations through the ingredients added in the dry mixing operations or from the environment during the drying or packaging stage. Also, powdered formulas can be contaminated by improper preparation at home.
These microorganisms are not able to multiply in dry powder preparations, but they can survive there for long periods of time, even longer than a year. Instead, the reconstituted preparation offers an ideal environment for them to proliferate.
The large-scale production and distribution of these products and the low number of infections in nursing infants indicate that the products are generally safe.
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