Which of the following bacteria is associated with bacterial intoxication?

Bacillus cereus is associated with bacterial intoxication primarily because it produces toxins in food that can lead to foodborne illness. This bacterium is capable of forming spores that survive cooking and can lead to two types of illnesses: emetic (vomiting) and diarrheal. The emetic type is primarily linked to fried rice dishes, where the bacteria produce a heat-stable toxin. This characteristic of toxin production makes Bacillus cereus a good example of bacterial intoxication, as opposed to other bacteria that primarily cause infection through their growth in the host or food.

In contrast, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes are primarily associated with infections rather than intoxications. E. coli, particularly certain strains like O157:H7, causes illness mainly through consuming viable cells that then produce toxins within the intestines. Salmonella causes gastroenteritis typically from the ingestion of contaminated food, wherein the organism invades the intestine and leads to an infection rather than an intoxication from pre-formed toxins. Listeria monocytogenes is known for causing severe infections, especially in vulnerable populations, through its lifecycle involving the growth within host cells, rather than through toxin production in food.

In summary