A 4-Year-Old, Previously Healthy Boy Is Brought to the Emergency

A 4-year-old, previously healthy boy is brought to the emergency department due to fever, abdominal pain, and frequent bloody diarrhea for 2 days.  A few children at day care have developed diarrhea over the past week as well.  He takes no medications and has not traveled outside the United States.  Temperature is 39 C (102.2 F) , blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg, and pulse is 90/min.  Physical examination shows increased bowel sounds and left sided abdominal tenderness.  Which of the following is the most likely causal organism?

A) Clostridioides difficile
B) Clostridium perfringens
C) Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
D) Salmonella typhi
E) Shigella sonnei

Correct Answer:

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