Question:

Which of the following staphylococcal infections is not toxin mediated?

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Three options map to a named staphylococcal toxin; one is caused by bacteraemia.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • Toxic shock syndrome
  • Scalded skin syndrome
  • Food poisoning
  • Septic shock
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Concept. Some staphylococcal diseases are caused by specific toxins, while others result from direct bacterial invasion and the bloodstream presence of organisms.

Step 2: Which one is not toxin mediated. Septic shock from Staphylococcus aureus is due to bacteraemia, that is, live bacteria circulating in the blood and provoking a systemic inflammatory response. It is not produced by a single named exotoxin. So septic shock is the answer, option (d).

Step 3: Why the others are toxin mediated. Toxic shock syndrome is caused by toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is caused by exfoliative (epidermolytic) toxin. Staphylococcal food poisoning is caused by a preformed heat-stable enterotoxin. All three are clearly toxin-driven.

Step 4: Note. Septic shock represents invasive infection with cytokine-driven shock, distinct from the toxin-mediated staphylococcal syndromes.
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