A 27-Year-Old Man Comes to the Emergency Department Due to Several

A 27-year-old man comes to the emergency department due to several hours of right foot pain and swelling.  The patient says he was working in his barn last night and stepped on an old nail.  This morning, he awoke with pain near the injury site.  It has increased throughout the day and is accompanied by progressive swelling.  The patient has no chronic medical conditions and takes no medications.  Temperature is 38.1 C (100.6 F) , blood pressure is 135/75 mm Hg, and pulse is 95/min.  The right foot is swollen with some erythema around the injury site.  Radiographic imaging reveals gas in the tissues.  Surgical exploration shows extensive tissue necrosis.  Culture from the site reveals gram-positive rods.  Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of the toxin responsible for the necrotic effects seen in this patient?

A) Actin depolymerization
B) Carbohydrate degradation
C) Elongation factor ribosylation
D) Phospholipid splitting
E) Plasminogen activation
F) Presynaptic acetylcholine release inhibition
G) T-cell hyperstimulation

Correct Answer:

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