A child developed symptoms of food poisoning after 4 hours of ingestion of fried rice. Bacillus cereus was suspected. Which among the following is TRUE about the symptoms of Bacillus cereus food poisoning in this case?
Correct Answer: Presence of abdominal pain
Description: Here are two distinct types of food poisoning caused by Bacillus cereus: One has a sho incubation period (4 hours); heat-stable toxin is the cause; consists primarily of nausea and vomiting, mild diarrhea, similar to staphylococcal food poisoning; Other has a long incubation period (18 hours); heat-labile enterotoxin is the cause; features include watery, nonbloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, resembling clostridial gastroenteritis. Also know: Bacillus cereus, a gram-positive, spore-forming bacillus. The organisms that produce the vomiting syndrome have largely been associated with ingestion of rice, notably fried rice. The spores germinate and toxin is produced causing symptoms. The organisms that produce the diarrheal syndrome have been associated with contaminated meats, sauces, and dairy products. Ref: Levinson W. (2012). Chapter 17. Gram-Positive Rods. In W. Levinson (Ed), Review of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, 12e.
Category:
Social & Preventive Medicine
Get More
Subject Mock Tests
Practice with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects and improve your knowledge.
Attempt a mock test nowMock Exam
Take an exam with 100 random questions selected from all subjects to test your knowledge.
Coming SoonGet More
Subject Mock Tests
Try practicing mock tests with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects.
Attempt a mock test now