Vibrio cholerae causes what mechanism?

Vibrio cholerae causes what mechanism?

• A. Inhibits sodium absorption
• B. Damages mucosa causing bloody diarrhea
• C. Inhibits prostaglandins
• D. Activates secretory enzymes causing hypersecretion of water and chloride

Answer: (D)

Cholera toxin drives a secretory mechanism in the gut. It ADP-ribosylates the Gs protein in enterocytes, keeping adenylate cyclase chronically active and raising intracellular cAMP. This surge in cAMP stimulates the CFTR chloride channels, causing a large amount of chloride (and accompanying water) to be secreted into the intestinal lumen. The result is massive watery, nonbloody diarrhea. The mucosa isn’t damaged in a way that produces blood or pus, and prostaglandin pathways aren’t the primary driver of this process. So the correct concept is that Vibrio cholerae activates secretory pathways leading to hypersecretion of water and chloride.

Cholera toxin drives a secretory mechanism in the gut. It ADP-ribosylates the Gs protein in enterocytes, keeping adenylate cyclase chronically active and raising intracellular cAMP. This surge in cAMP stimulates the CFTR chloride channels, causing a large amount of chloride (and accompanying water) to be secreted into the intestinal lumen. The result is massive watery, nonbloody diarrhea. The mucosa isn’t damaged in a way that produces blood or pus, and prostaglandin pathways aren’t the primary driver of this process. So the correct concept is that Vibrio cholerae activates secretory pathways leading to hypersecretion of water and chloride.