Clostridium perfringens in foods and fish

Abstract

Foodborne diseases are considered an important public health problem at a global level due to their levels of incidence and mortality as well as their negative consequences in economic and social aspects. Foodborne diseases are defined as those that are generated by the ingestion of food and water contaminated by chemical or biological agents commonly affecting health at the level of the gastrointestinal system. Among the risks and dangers to health from food are the diseases caused by Clostridium perfringens, a common bacterium which inhabits water, soil, vegetables, fish, the gastrointestinal system of human and animals and of course foods. The importance of this bacterium in health and food lies both in its cosmopolitan distribution, ability to generate heat-resistant spores and food poisoning, which makes control and prevention actions indispensable along the food chain. This article presents a general description of foodborne diseases, including those caused by consumption of food, such as fish, derived from contamination by C. perfringens; likewise, the actions and recommendations undertaken around the world for the prevention and control of these diseases are shown, including aspects related to the antimicrobial resistance phenomenon and its impact on public health.