A 59-year-old woman comes to the emergency department because of abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea that began 12 hours ago. Three days ago, she ate undercooked chicken at a local restaurant. Blood cultures grow spiral and comma-shaped, oxidase-positive organisms at 42°C. This patient is at greatest risk for which of the following complications?
AToxic megacolon
BSegmental myelin degeneration
CPeyer patch necrosis
DSeizures
EErythema nodosum
A 26-year-old man with no past medical history is brought in to the trauma bay by ambulance after sustaining a motorcycle crash against a parked car. The patient is alert and oriented with no focal neurologic defects. The patient has a few lower extremity abrasions but is otherwise healthy and is discharged. One week later, the patient returns to the emergency department with a 2-day history of high fevers and redness on his left lower leg. On exam, his temperature is 102.0°F (38.9°C), blood pressure is 70/44 mmHg, pulse is 108/min, and respirations are 14/min. The patient appears toxic, and his left lower leg is tense, erythematous, and tender to palpation between the ankle and the knee. The exam is notable for tense bullae developing on the lateral calf. Palpation near the bullae is notable for crepitus. Which of the following toxins is likely responsible for this finding?
AEnterotoxin
BCytotoxin
CTetanospasmin
DBotulinum toxin
EAlpha toxin
A 20-week-old infant is brought to an urgent care clinic by her mother because she has not been eating well for the past 2 days. The mother said her daughter has also been "floppy" since yesterday morning and has been unable to move or open her eyes since the afternoon of the same day. The child has recently started solid foods, like cereals sweetened with honey. There is no history of loose, watery stools. On examination, the child is lethargic with lax muscle tone. She does not have a fever or apparent respiratory distress. What is the most likely mode of transmission of the pathogen responsible for this patient’s condition?
AVertical transmission
BVector-borne disease
CDirect contact
DContaminated food
EAirborne transmission
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