Volume 3, Number 4—December 1997 Factors that Influence the
Emergence or Reemergence and Dissemination of Microbial
Foodborne Pathogens and Human Disease Chronic Sequelae of
Foodborne Disease In the past decade, the complexity of
foodborne pathogens, as well as their adaptability and ability
to cause acute illness, and in some cases chronic (secondary)
complications, have been newly appreciated. This overview
examines long-term consequences of foodborne infections and
intoxications to emphasize the need for more research and
education. The term foodborne disease encompasses a variety of
clinical and etiologic conditions and describes a subset of
enteric disease (1-4), which in the United States ranks second
in prevalence to respiratory disease (2). In foodborne disease,
the food may act as a vehicle for the transmission of actively
growing microorganisms or products of metabolism (toxins), or it
may have a passive role as a vehicle for the transmission of
nonreplicating bacteria, viruses or protozoa, or stabl