ABSTRACT
Cronobacter ( Enterobacter sakazakii) causes a foodborne disease classified by the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF, 2002) in Risk Group IB: “diseases of severe hazard for restricted population; life threatening or resulting in substantial chronic sequelae or presenting effects of long duration”. The FAO/WHO (Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization) expert meetings have identified all infants (less than 12 months of age) as the population at particular risk for Cronobacter infections. Among this group, those at greatest risk are neonates (less than 28 days), particularly preterm, lowbirth-weight (less than 2500 g), and immunocompromised infants, and those less than two months of age. Infants of HIV-positive mothers are also at risk, because they may specifically require infant formula and may be more susceptible to infection (Codex Alimentarius/ CAC/RCP 66, 2008 revision 1 2009).
