USMLE Step 1

A husband and wife present with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea 6 hours after sharing a Rice Burrito from their favorite Mexican restaurant. Which of the following organisms is most likely to be the cause?

A) Vibrio cholerae
B) Bacillus cereus
C) Enterotoxigenic E. coli
D) Salmonella typhi
E) Staphylococcus aureus


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Answer: B) Bacillus cereus. B. cereus is an aerobic, gram (+), spore-forming rod. It is found in grains. Its spores survive food preparation such as boiling. Treatment includes fluids and take care of symptoms.