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This story was printed from Biological and
Chemical Agents,
located at /27393/dreamwvr/agents/enterotoxinb1.htm
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ENTEROTOXIN B
INTRODUCTION
Staphylococcal Enterotoxin B is produced by a bacterium
Staphylococcus aureus. It is a protein toxin that is more stable than botulinal
toxins. It is even resistant to heat. It directly irritates the mucosa of the
gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea, and stimulates the vagal and
sympathetic nerves, causing vomiting.
Less than 1mg of Enterotoxin B is enough to incapacitate an adult. Fortunately,
it is not lethal. Initial symptoms will show within 30min-7hour of ingesting
contaminated food, sooner if airborne. The symptoms are increased salivation,
severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal, watery diarrhea, prostration, lowered blood
pressure, and dizziness.
The victim will usually recover within a day and death only occurs due to
excessive dehydration.
PRECAUTIONS
The disease is not contagious so there is no need to isolate
patients. Infants and debilitated persons are more susceptible to the
dehydrating effects of the poisoning. Boiling does not destroy the disease so
heat sterilization will not help.
No vaccine for the disease is presently available for human use. There are no
recognized techniques for neutralization and decontamination. If aerosol
exposure is anticipated, a gas mask is required. Also, avoid consuming
contaminated food and water. There is no vaccine or treatments for the
poisoning, the only thing one can do Is to provide fluids to prevent
dehydration.
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