Question

A 27-year-old man eats a meal consisting of ham casserole with potatoes and green beans. 3 hours later, he abruptly begins vomiting; he experiences profuse watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and headache. Examination determines that he is diaphoretic and salivating; he has normal vital signs. The patient is encouraged to rest and take copious fluids. The following evening his symptoms subside, and he is able to return to routine activities within 24 hours of becoming ill. This food-borne illness is most likely to be caused by what organism?

1 Clostridium perfringens
2 Clostridium difficile
3 Staphylococcus aureus
4 Shigella sonnei
5 Yersinia enterocolitica

Answer 1

The food-borne illness that caused symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping in a 27-year-old man after eating a ham casserole is likely caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Step-by-step explanation:

The food-borne illness described is most likely Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning. This condition presents with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping, typically within one to six hours after consuming contaminated food. The quick resolution of symptoms within 24 hours supports this diagnosis. S. aureus is known to grow in foods like ham and may produce enterotoxins that cause the rapid onset of symptoms. Proper hand hygiene and food handling, along with maintaining food at safe temperatures, can help prevent this type of food intoxication.