What common gastrointestinal symptom follows shortly after Staphylococcus aureus toxin ingestion?

The ingestion of Staphylococcus aureus toxin typically leads to gastrointestinal symptoms primarily due to the rapid onset of food poisoning caused by the preformed enterotoxin it produces. This toxin can trigger a quick and severe inflammatory response within the gastrointestinal tract, often within a few hours after consumption of contaminated food. The hallmark symptom associated with this response is diarrhea, which is the body's mechanism to expel the toxin and reduce its effects.

Additionally, Staphylococcus aureus food poisoning may also present with nausea and vomiting, further supporting the diagnosis of toxin ingestion and subsequent gastrointestinal distress. Other options, such as constipation, gas and bloating, and loss of appetite, do not align with the immediate and acute nature of symptoms caused by Staphylococcus aureus toxin ingestion. Constipation is not typically associated with food poisoning, while gas and bloating usually relate more to other gastrointestinal conditions rather than an acute toxic response. Loss of appetite can occur as a symptom following a gastrointestinal illness but is more of a secondary response rather than a direct consequence of the toxin itself. Thus, diarrhea is recognized as the common and prominent symptom directly linked to Staphylococcus aureus toxin ingestion.