Staphylococcal enterotoxin B is often identified as common food poisoning, but has been known to cause a form of toxic shock syndrome. It is caused by the bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus. SEB can be found in unrefrigerated meats and dairy products.
Even when the bacteria is killed, the toxin can remain active. When a victim suffers from SEB, the have all the symptoms of food poisoning: nausea, cramping, and diarrhea all within a sort time frame of ingesting the bacteria. SEB has been studied as a biological warfare agent because it can be aerosolized and cause mass amounts of damage, effecting several organ systems, producing shock and can even be fatal when enough of the agent is inhaled.
