The Challenge

Staphylococcus aureus, often called “staph”, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is staph that is resistant to common antibiotics.  Approximately 30% of the populations carries staph in their nose, with no symptoms. However, staph infections in other parts of the body can have serious consequences, including death.

Escherichia coli (abbreviated as E. coli) are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. Some kinds of E. coli can cause diarrhea, while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is commonly called “pneumococcus” and the diseases it causes may be referred to as “pneumococcal” disease. Transmission is through direct person-to-person transmission in close contact via respiratory droplets. Streptococcus pneumoniae may cause pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media or a blood stream infection.

Streptococcus pyogenes infections may present as pharyngitis (strep throat), scarlet fever (rash), impetigo (infection of the superficial layers of the skin) or cellulitis (infection of the deep layers of the skin).

Shigella dysenteriae is a species of bacteria from the Shigella genus. Dysenteriae is the most common cause of epidemic dysentery in condensed populations.

Salmonella enteritidis silently infects the ovaries of healthy appearing hens and contaminates the eggs before the shells are formed. Thus, what appears to be intact and disinfected eggs that are safe to eat are in fact not safe. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without antibiotic treatment. However, the diarrhea can be severe.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa opportunistic pathogen is commonly associated with hospital-acquired infection, most notably in immunocompromised individuals.

Noroviruses (genus Norovirus, family Caliciviridae) are a group of related, single-stranded RNA,non-enveloped viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis in humans.  The most common symptom's of acute gastroenteritis are diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain.  Norovirus is the official genus name for the group of viruses described as "Norwalk - like viruses" (NLV).  NLV are highly contagious and as few as 10 viral particles can cause infection.