Michigan Food Safety Management Practice Test

Which infection is caused by eating live pathogens that produce toxins in the digestive system?

1. Toxin-mediated infection

2. Foodborne infection

3. Foodborne illness

4. Foodborne intoxication

The correct answer is: Toxin-mediated infection

The correct answer is based on the definition and characteristics of toxin-mediated infections. These infections occur when live pathogens are consumed and subsequently produce toxins within the digestive system. The pathogens proliferate and generate toxic substances that can then cause illness. In such cases, the symptoms often result from the toxins rather than from the pathogens themselves. In toxin-mediated infections, the presence of the live bacteria within the intestines is crucial as they are responsible for producing the toxins that lead to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain after a period of incubation. This is distinct from a regular foodborne infection, where illness results directly from the bacteria themselves invading and multiplying in the host's body. Foodborne illness is a broader term encompassing any illness caused by consuming contaminated food, which may include infections, both from live pathogens and toxins. Foodborne intoxication typically refers to illnesses caused solely by ingesting pre-formed toxins from food, not necessarily involving live pathogens present in the digestive system. Therefore, toxin-mediated infection specifically highlights the role of live pathogens in generating toxins that cause the illness, making it the most accurate answer in this context.