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. Cholera toxin. b. Erythrogenic toxin. c. Aflatoxin. d. Botulinum toxin. e. Staphylococcal enterotoxin.

e. staphylococcal enterotoxin

Explanation:

Staphylococcal enterotoxin is a toxin that is produced by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It is a toxin found inside the gastrointestinal tracts of the human body which is why it is called an enterotoxin and it results in food poisoning when consumed by humans.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin is proteinous in nature and it can be found on dairy products such as milk or cheeses that have been contaminated by Staphylococcus aureus.

After consumption of the contaminated milk or cheeses, the person begins to experience symptoms of nausea, diarrhea as well as vomiting.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin is a very heat stable toxin which means even though you heat up a food contaminated with this toxin, the bacteria may die by the toxins would still remain in the food.

The best way to avoid food poisoning by Staphylococcal enterotoxin is to avoid eating contaminated foods.