Pistachios may become contaminated by enteric pathogens capability of causing food poisoning.
The most common pathogen is a Salmonella species, although other enteropathogens may be involved.
The pistachios become contaminated after harvesting while the nuts are being processed. The pathogens tend to be associated with the hull material.
Clinical findings:
(1) onset of diarrhea or other evidence of food poisoning
(2) recent exposure to pistachios, often in shell
(3) culture of the implicated pistachios is positive for an enteric pathogen OR an enterotoxin is demonstrated
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases
