According to outbreak data commonly cited in the U.S., which bacterial pathogen is responsible for the highest number of hospitalizations and deaths related to foodborne illness?

• A. Staphylococcus aureus, as its heat-stable toxins frequently cause fatal systemic infections in otherwise healthy individuals consuming properly cooked foods.
• B. Campylobacter species, because they produce Shiga toxin and result in the highest rates of hospital admissions for foodborne disease nationwide.
• C. Listeria monocytogenes, because it is the most common cause of mild self-limited gastroenteritis and the majority of foodborne hospitalizations.
• D. Salmonella species are associated with the largest number of hospitalizations and deaths among bacterial foodborne pathogens in the U.S.

Answer: (D)