Question

Question 50 (2 points) Which microbial agent best fits the following description? Grows in small intestine, produces exotoxin resulting in secretion of salts across mucosa, shock and death can result from huge water volume loss through diarrhea (not dysentery). Transmitted primarily by fecally contaminated water. Escherichia coli O157:H7 u None of the other four answers fit this description O Shigella Vibrio cholerae Norovirus

Answer 1

Answer - A : Shiga- toxin producing E. Coli related diarrhea comes on suddenly and can quickly cause dangerous fluid loss. Dehydration can develop within hours after symptoms start and range from mild to severe. Dehydration can lead to a rapid loss of minerals in our blood that maintain the balance opf fluids in our body. This is called an electrolyte imbalance, which leads to serious signs and symptoms such as

• Rapid loss of salts such as sodium chloride and potassium.
• Shock, occurs when low blood volume causes a drop in blood pressure and a drop in the amount of oxygen in our body. This is one of the most serious complications of dehydration and can cause death in minutes due to severe hypovolemic shock, if untreated.

Complications of Shigella infection includes: dehydration, seizures, rectal prolapse, hemolytic uremicsyndrome, toxic megacolon etc. Shigella bacteria can be passed in contaminated food or drinking or swimming in contaminated water. Mainly it passes through the direct contact with the bacteria in the stool. Vibrio cholerae infections also posses similar symptoms. Norovirus can cause viral infections. Its symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain etc.