Name two common foodborne pathogens and the illnesses they cause.

• A. Salmonella — gastroenteritis; Listeria monocytogenes — listeriosis.
• B. E. coli O157:H7 — urinary tract infection
• C. Campylobacter jejuni — skin infection
• D. Norovirus — respiratory illness

Answer: (A)

Identifying common foodborne pathogens and the illnesses they cause. Salmonella is a leading cause of foodborne illness and typically triggers gastroenteritis with symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, which can be especially serious for pregnant people, newborns, the elderly, and the immunocompromised; it can grow at refrigeration temperatures and is often linked to ready-to-eat foods, soft cheeses, and deli meats. This pairing—Salmonella causing gastroenteritis and Listeria monocytogenes causing listeriosis—is the best fit because it matches the typical diseases each pathogen is known to cause.

Other options don’t fit as well: E. coli O157:H7 is mainly associated with severe gastroenteritis and can lead to kidney injury, not typically a urinary tract infection. Campylobacter jejuni also causes gastroenteritis rather than a skin infection. Norovirus is known for gastroenteritis as well, not a respiratory illness.