Salmonellosis (enteric infection): The illness is primarily associated with which Salmonella toxin component during pathogenesis in the host?

Introduction / Context:
Salmonellosis is a foodborne infection, not a classic preformed-toxin intoxication. Clinical features include fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea after ingestion of live Salmonella that invade and trigger inflammation.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Focus on the toxin component implicated in disease manifestations.
• Salmonella are gram-negative bacilli with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin.

Concept / Approach:
Endotoxin (the lipid A component of LPS) contributes to fever and inflammatory responses. While Salmonella may elaborate enterotoxin-like factors, the core, well-known toxic moiety for systemic effects is endotoxin.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Classify disease type: infection requiring bacterial invasion.Identify principal toxin: endotoxin intrinsic to Salmonella cell envelope.Select ‘‘Endotoxin of Salmonella spp.’’

Verification / Alternative check:
Host response to LPS is central to gram-negative sepsis and to febrile responses in invasive Salmonella infections.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Enterotoxin/exoenterotoxin: less central than endotoxin in typical salmonellosis.
• Neurotoxin: Salmonella do not produce a neurotoxin comparable to botulinum toxin.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing intoxication (preformed toxin) with infection; misattributing neurotoxic mechanisms to Salmonella.

Final Answer:
Endotoxin of Salmonella spp.