A 6-year-old has bloody diarrhea after eating undercooked beef and develops hemolytic anemia and renal failure. Which toxin is responsible?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Shiga toxin

  1. Step 1: Shiga-like toxin of enterohemorrhagic E. coli causes hemolytic uremic syndrome. Answer: Shiga toxin. Why not the others: Cholera and heat-labile toxins cause watery diarrhea and botulinum toxin causes paralysis.

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