Twenty-five people developed symptoms of nausea,vomiting,and diarrhea three to six hours after attending a church picnic where they ate a ham and green bean casserole with cream sauce.The most likely cause of this case of food intoxication is
A)botulinum toxin.
B)aflatoxin.
C)staphylococcal enterotoxin.
D)erythrogenic toxin.
E)cholera toxin.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that developed three to six hours after consumption of the casserole suggest staphylococcal enterotoxin as the most likely cause of food intoxication. Staphylococcal enterotoxins are produced by Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that is commonly found on the skin and in the nose of humans. The toxin is heat-stable and is not destroyed by cooking, making it a common cause of foodborne illness in foods that are prepared and held at room temperature for extended periods, such as casseroles, sandwiches, and salads.

Twenty-Five People Developed Symptoms of Nausea,vomiting,and Diarrhea Three to Six