A 31-year-old woman visits the clinic with chronic diarrhea on most days for the past four months. She also complains of lower abdominal discomfort and cramping, which is relieved by episodes of diarrhea. She denies any recent change in her weight. Bowel movements are preceded by a sensation of urgency, associated with mucus discharge, and followed by a feeling of incomplete evacuation. The patient went camping several months earlier, and another member of her camping party fell ill recently. Her temperature is 37° C (98.6° F), respiratory rate is 15/min, pulse is 67/min, and blood pressure is 122/98 mm Hg. Her physical examination is unremarkable. A routine stool examination is within normal limits and blood test results show: Hb% 13 gm/dL Total count (WBC): 11,000/mm3 Differential count: Neutrophils: 70% Lymphocytes: 25% Monocytes: 5% ESR: 10 mm/hr What is the most likely diagnosis?
AGiardiasis
BUlcerative colitis
CCrohn’s disease
DIrritable bowel syndrome
ELaxative abuse
A 32-year-old female comes to the physician because of recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, bloating, and loose stools lasting several days to a couple weeks. She has had these episodes since she was 24 years old but they have worsened over the last 6 weeks. The site of the abdominal pain and the intensity of pain vary. She has around 3–4 bowel movements per day during these episodes. Menses are regular at 31 day intervals with moderate flow; she has moderate pain in her lower abdomen during menstruation. She moved from a different city 2 months ago to start a new demanding job. Her mother has been suffering from depression for 10 years. She does not smoke or drink alcohol. Her own medications include multivitamins and occasionally naproxen for pain. Temperature is 37.4°C (99.3°F), pulse is 88/min, and blood pressure is 110/82 mm Hg. Abdominal examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 14.1 g/dL Leukocyte count 8100/mm3 Erythrocyte sedimentation rate 15 mm/h Serum Glucose 96 mg/dL Creatinine 1.1 mg/dL IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody negative Urinalysis shows no abnormalities. Further evaluation is most likely to show which of the following in this patient?
AAbdominal pain at night
BCutaneous flushing
CBright red blood in the stool
DWeight loss
ERelief of abdominal pain after defecation
A 24-year-old man comes to the physician with a 2-day history of fever, crampy abdominal pain, and blood-tinged diarrhea. He recently returned from a trip to Mexico. His temperature is 38.2°C (100.8°F). Abdominal examination shows diffuse tenderness to palpation; bowel sounds are hyperactive. Stool cultures grow nonlactose fermenting, oxidase-negative, gram-negative rods that do not produce hydrogen sulfide on triple sugar iron agar. Which of the following processes is most likely involved in the pathogenesis of this patient's condition?
ADissemination via bloodstream
BOveractivation of adenylate cyclase
CFlagella-mediated gut colonization
DInvasion of colonic microfold cells
EInhibition of host cytoskeleton organization
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