A 65-Year-Old Woman with Ovarian Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy Is Hospitalized

A 65-year-old woman with ovarian cancer undergoing chemotherapy is hospitalized due to fever, headache, ataxia, and progressive confusion.  Two days later, a 26-year-old pregnant woman is admitted to the same hospital with fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle aches and spontaneously delivers a preterm infant who has generalized skin rash.  Laboratory evaluation reveals that these patients' conditions were caused by the same microbial organism.  The state health department is notified.  Reports of similar illnesses are noted in neighboring cities.  A subsequent investigation reveals that 8 people were affected, all of whom consumed food products from a single processing facility.  Which of the following organisms is most likely responsible for this outbreak?

A) Aspergillus fumigatus
B) Cytomegalovirus
C) Escherichia coli O157:H7
D) Herpes simplex virus
E) Listeria monocytogenes
F) Neisseria meningitidis
G) Streptococcus pneumoniae
H) Toxoplasma gondii

Correct Answer:

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