Q: I am wondering the difference between the roles of CFS and Center of Health Protection(CHP) in response to an outbreak, which is questioned by Dr. Mak. However, very limited info. was found on the Internet. May you help?
A: My understanding: CFS is the main unit in FEHD for food safety. In outbreak reponses, CFS will collect food samples, data of the meals, number and type of people affected, premises inspection, etc. Mainly deal with foods and consumers and places. CHP will look at the symptoms of people affected, analyse the type of microbes or toxins from the food and patiens--lab tests, such as microbiological tests and toxin analysis. CHP will also analyze the outbreak with epidemiological approaches. There are much operational and coordinational details which I do not have full information. Maybe we can add this topic for presentation next year.
Thank Prof. Kwan.
ReplyDeleteAnd one more question comes up.
Acc. to Wikipedia,"Enterotoxins are chromosomally encoded exotoxins that are produced and secreted from several bacterial organisms." This indicates enterotoxin is an exotoxin.
However, in T/F session of our mid-term exam, enterotoxin is regarded as bacterial cell component (endotoxin).
So which definition is correct?
Besides, how endotoxin affects GI tract? because only its pyrogenic and antigenic properties are mentioned in the lecture.
ReplyDeleteIts influence on GI tracts was not mentioned.
The various toxins are covered before mid-term exam and will not be included directly in the final exam.
ReplyDeleteOne should be careful when consulting Wikipedia. Look up Google and get the definitions yourself:
Enterotoxin: http://www.google.com.hk/search?num=50&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENHK263&q=enterotoxin+definition&aq=2&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=enterotoxin
Endotoxin: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/endotoxin