A 3-Week-Old Baby Boy Is Brought to the Emergency Department

A 3-week-old baby boy is brought to the emergency department with fever, irritability, and poor feeding.  Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid shows a leukocyte count of 600 cells/µL (80% neutrophils) , protein of 160 mg/dL, and glucose of 20 mg/dL.  Blood cultures grow gram-negative rods that form pink colonies on MacConkey agar.  Which of the following is the most important bacterial virulence factor for the development of this patient's condition?

A) Capsule
B) Fimbrial antigen
C) Lipid A
D) O antigen
E) Verotoxin

Correct Answer:

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