Staphylococcus aureus and food borne disease

Abstract

Staphylococcal food poisoning, which usually presents clinically at 2-6 hours post exposure, is attributed to the ingestion of food containing pre-formed staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) which are quite resistant to acid and proteolysis. Most cases of staphylococcal intoxication resolve within 24-48 hours, although they may be serious.