Question

A group of people had pastries late at night followed by bouts of vomiting early in the morning. What could be the cause?

• A. S. aureus
• B. B cereus
• C. E. coli
• D. S. aureus

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The scenario described involves a group of people experiencing vomiting after consuming pastries. This is indicative of food poisoning, usually caused by a bacterial toxin.

Given the options:

• S. aureus (Staphylococcus aureus): Known for producing heat-stable enterotoxins that cause rapid onset food poisoning, typically within 1-6 hours after consumption. Commonly associated with dairy products, creamy dishes, and pastries.
• B. cereus (Bacillus cereus): Can cause food poisoning with rapid onset, particularly from rice and starchy foods. It has both emetic and diarrheal toxins.
• E. coli (Escherichia coli): Typically associated with undercooked beef or contaminated water, with a longer incubation period for symptoms.

The rapid onset of symptoms such as vomiting following the consumption of pastries aligns with the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is known for its quick-acting toxins often linked to foods handled improperly after cooking or contamination.

Therefore, considering the timeline (late-night consumption and early morning symptoms) and the type of food (pastries), the most likely cause is Staphylococcus aureus.