Which of the following pathogens are associated with watery diarrhea after an incubation period of 8 to 14 hours?
A. Rotavirus and Norwalk virus
B. Shigella and Salmonella
C. S. aureus and Bacillus cereus
D. Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens
The answer is d Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens
Bacillus cereus strains can produce two
different toxins: a heat stable toxin that can lead to an illness after 2 to 7
hours and a heat-labile toxin that causes disease manifestations 8 to 14 hours
after ingestion. The syndrome of Clostridium perfringens diarrhea usually occurs
8 to 14 hours after ingestion of the preformed toxin.
