"Penis Infected with Food Poisoning"…World's First Case Reported

Contact Between Feces and Genitals After Food Poisoning
Genital Infection with Penile Blood Vessels Dilated

A shocking first case has been reported where a food poisoning bacterium commonly found in rice was discovered in a male's genital area.

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On the 29th (local time), the British media outlet Daily Mail reported the case of a 38-year-old man living in Lebanon. The man visited a urologist after experiencing redness, swelling, and scabbing on his penis for an entire week. The examination revealed the presence of a food poisoning bacterium related to rice in his genital area. The man explained that the symptoms began in his genitals shortly after suffering severe diarrhea and vomiting.

Doctors conducted tests to check for infection in the genital area and found the bacterium Bacillus cereus. This bacterium is usually found in rice and is known to cause illness and gastrointestinal disorders when rice left at room temperature for too long is consumed.

Medical professionals concluded that the man's unusual genital infection was caused by diarrhea and vomiting that occurred immediately after sexual intercourse with his wife. The man had consumed rice contaminated with the bacterium and contracted food poisoning. Afterward, he had sexual intercourse with his wife, followed by vomiting and diarrhea, which expelled the bacteria from his body, allowing the food poisoning bacterium to come into contact with his genitals. The bacteria penetrated the penile tissue through the skin while the penile blood vessels were dilated right after intercourse, leading to the genital infection.

The medical team expressed surprise, stating, "It is extremely rare to find Bacillus cereus not only on the skin but also in the genital area." Foreign media described this as "literally the first case of a penis contracting food poisoning." Fortunately, after a month of treatment, the man’s discomfort disappeared, and there was no recurrence. This case was published in the academic journal Annals of Medicine and Surgery.

Bacillus cereus is a spore-forming bacterium and a type of food poisoning pathogen. It is commonly found in carbohydrate-rich foods such as rice and pasta. Overseas, food poisoning caused by Bacillus cereus is sometimes called "fried rice syndrome." It is also a major cause of food poisoning in countries like Korea, where rice is a staple food. The growth temperature for Bacillus ranges from 7 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius, which is higher than refrigerator temperatures. Even if food is heated, proper food management such as immediate refrigeration is necessary if the food is to be eaten later.