Shape and Size

coccus shaped and

Genome Information

Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus NCTC 8325 RefSeq NC_007795.1, circular DNA, Size 2.82 Mb, GC% 32.9, Protein 2,767,rRNA 16, tRNA 61, Gene 2,872, Pseudogene 30 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome/?term=Staphylococcus+aureus

Food Source

meat and meat products, poultry and egg products, milk and dairy products, salads, bakery products, particularly cream-filled pastries and cakes, and sandwich fillings

Pathological Factor

The S. aureus enterotoxins (SEs) are potent gastrointestinal exotoxins synthesized by S. Aureus. These enterotoxins posssess superantigen property. Enterotoxin activity could facilitate transcitosis, enabling the toxin to enter the bloodstream and circulate through the body, thus allowing the interaction with antigen presenting- and T-cells that leads to superantigen activity.

Disease

Staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP)

Symptoms

diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramping

Affected Body Organs

stomach and the upper part of the small intestine