Enterobacter sakazakii: un patogeno emergente associato al consumo di latte formulato in polvere per la prima infanzia.

Enterobacter sakazakii is a Gram-negative, non-spore-forming bacterium belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae Family. This opportunistic pathogen has been associated with sporadic cases or small outbreaks of sepsis, meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis especially in neonates and infants, with a mortality rate of 40-80%. The micro-organism has been recently isolated from various food processing environments, foods, hospital equipment, households and also from the guts of insects. On the basis of these findings it appears to be widespread in the environment, however its presence in powdered infant formula milk for use with newborn babies is of particular concern, considering that the association between E. sakazakii infection and powdered infant formula consumption has been demonstrated in many cases. Even low levels of E. sakazakii in such products can lead to a development of infection, given the potential for multiplication during the preparation and holding time prior to consumption of reconstituted formula. For these reasons further studies are needed to gain a better understanding of the ecology of the organism and of ways to reduce its levels in reconstituted powdered infant formula. In this article the available scientific information on E. sakazakii is reviewed with special respect to the public health impact determined by this emerging foodborne pathogen.