Food poisoning 2 hours after intake of food:: (A) Salmonella typhi, (B) Bacillus cereus, (C) Staphylococcus aureus, (D) Clostridium
Answer is C. Ans. (c) Staphylococcus aureusRef: Microbiology by Ananthanarayan and Paniker 8th ed. /198, Harrison's 18th ed. /Ch 128* Among the given options staph aureus has the shortest incubation period (1-6 hrs).* Staphylococcus causes food poisoning by enterotoxin A, due to intake of milk or milk products.# It is a preformed, heat stable enterotoxin, which stimulate the vagus nerve causing vomiting as main and first symptom.# I.P. < 6 hours* Outbreaks following picnics where potato salad, mayonnaise, and cream pastries have been served offer classic examples of staphylococcal food poisoning.* Bacillus cereus is an important cause of food poisoning, isolated from soil, vegetables, milk cereals, meat etc.* It produces 2 types of food poisoning:Diarrhea type- main symptomEmetic type- main symptom* Associated with wide range of food intake including meat, puddings etc.* I.P. 8-16 hrs* Occurs due to heat labile enterotoxin* Associated with intake of Chinese fried rice* I.P. 1-5 hrs* Due to pre-formed, heat stable toxin# Clostridium perfringens causes gastroenteritis after intake of infected meat or meat products. I.P. - 8-16 hours.# Clostridium botulism causes food poisoning due to consumption of canned food. I.P. 1 to 3 days.