Question

Which of these is a virulence factor of staphylococcus that allows it to cause food intoxication?

Answer 1

Enterotoxins cause food poisoning

Enterotoxins are superantigens that are more stable at hot temperatures compared to S. aureus. enterotoxins (A, B, C, D, and E) induce diarrhea, vomiting, and shock.

Further Explanation

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a gram-positive bacterium that produces yellow pigment, is facultatively anaerobic, does not produce spores and is not motile, generally grows in pairs or groups, with a diameter of about 0.8-1.0 µm. S. aureus grows optimally at 37oC with a cleavage time of 0.47 hours. S. aureus is a normal human microflora. This bacterium is usually found in the upper respiratory tract and skin. The presence of S. aureus in the upper respiratory tract and skin in individuals rarely causes disease, healthy individuals usually only act as careers.

S. aureus infection is associated with several pathological conditions, including ulcers, acne, pneumonia, meningitis, and arthritis. Most diseases caused by these bacteria produce pus, therefore these bacteria are called pyogenic.

Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors:

Coagulase

S. aureus produces a coagulase enzyme that functions to coagulate fibrinogen in blood plasma so that S. aureus is protected from phagocytosis and other immune responses from the host.

Protein A

The location of protein A is on the cell wall of S. aureus and can interfere with the host immune system by binding to the antibody immunoglobin G (IgG).

Cytolytic exotoxins

α-toxin, β-toxin, γ-toxin, and δ-toxin attack mammalian cell membranes. α-toxin, β-toxin, and δ-toxin can cause hemolysis. δ-toxin also causes leukolysis of host cells. Meanwhile, γ-toxin causes the killing of host cells.

Enterotoxins

Enterotoxins cause food poisoning. Enterotoxins are superantigens that are more stable at hot temperatures compared to S. aureus. enterotoxins (A, B, C, D, and E) induce diarrhea, vomiting, and shock.

Leukocidin

This toxin destroys the host cell leukocytes.

Exfoliatin

Exfoliatin is included in the superantigen too, causing blistering skin syndrome in children.

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Staphylococcus aureus brainly.com/question/7336536

Enterotoxins brainly.com/question/7336536

Details

Class: High School

Subject: Biology

Keywords: s. aureus, enterotoxins, poisoning

Answer 2

Staphylococcus aureus is almost a household name because it is so common and it has plenty of ways to cause infection in humans. The ‘staph’ is the primary cause of boils, folliculitis, impetigo, cellulitis, organ infection and sepsis, bone infections, bacteremia, and biofilms. When ingested and it reaches the intestine, the ‘staph’ has another nasty trick on its sleeve by producing enteroxins A and B, which cause food poisoning. Staphylococcus aureus can get into food when an ill person cough, sneezes, or spits into food. It takes one to six hours for the bacteria to produce toxins, which can make you sick for several minutes to three days.