This virtual textbook provides basic facts regarding the epidemiology, symptoms and treatment of foodborne pathogenic microorganisms and natural toxins. There are 45 links to organisms and toxins and three appendices dealing with concept of infective dose, factors affecting microbial growth in foods, and a summary table of foodborne illnesses. This site brings together in one place information from the Food & Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service, and the National Institutes of Health. Links to the National Library of Medicine's Entrez glossary and Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports provide information on later outbreaks or incidents of foodborne disease. Links are included to relevant Entrez abstracts and GenBank genetic loci on some pathogenic microorganisms.
Type of Material:
Virtual Textbook
Technical Requirements:
HTML
Identify Major Learning Goals:
None
Target Student Population:
Microbiology students or college students with special assignments related to foodborne diseases
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Basic microbiology
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Quality of Content: (5.0) (4.0) = (4.5)
Site is clearly and concisely laid out and consistent presentation for all entries
Background material is accurate but last update in March 2000 and references to outbreaks rarely are post 1997
Graphics are limited to a small electron micrograph in the heading and an occasional graph of epidemiological data
Site does allow for a search through CDC and/or PubMed for more recent information
Vocabulary is appropriate and linked to a glossary
Well designed with complete and accurate material explained very concisely.
Extremely current and an invaluable reference for information on foodborne pathogenic microorganisms and natural toxins.
Links to other sites are excellent.
Concerns:
May be a bit too much information for some undergraduates.
More images and diagrams would be helpful for students.
Update some of the direct MMWR links and perhaps include other appropriate graphics
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool: (5.00) (4.90) = 5.0
Provides basic resource information on diseases.
Appendices promote understanding of infective dose and affect of temperature, pH, and water activity on microbial growth in foods.
Search options provide access to current information.
Not designed primarily as a comprehensive text, but this is clearly stated. A good reference with links to current Morbidity and Mortality statistics and genetic information through ENTREZ.
Does not necessarily promote conceptual understanding of the mechanism of disease action,
but rather describes the epidemiology, symptoms and treatment of the disease.
Well written, but may be a bit technical for many undergraduates. More diagrams and images would help.
Concerns:
Does not necessarily promote conceptual understanding of the mechanism of disease action, but rather describes the epidemiology, symptoms and treatment of the disease.
Well written, but may be a bit technical for many undergraduates. More diagrams and images would help.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Usability: (5.0) (5.0) = (5.0)
Site is easy to navigate and does not require special instructions
Each entry is clearly written
Limited graphics assures speed in loading
All links worked including access to CDC and PubMed
Easy to navigate and quick, without any defective links or bugs.
Contains a searchable index.
Concerns:
None
Overall rating: (4.8) (4.3) = (4.5)
Creative Commons:
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