Explosive watery diarrhea with severe abdominal pain after eating raw shellfish is most characteristic of infection caused by which organism?

Explosive watery diarrhea with severe abdominal pain after eating raw shellfish is most characteristic of infection caused by which organism?

• A. Campylobacter jejuni
• B. Helicobacter pylori
• C. Shigella dysenteriae
• D. Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Answer: (D)

Exposure to raw shellfish points to a seafoodborne gastroenteritis caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This organism thrives in saltwater and is a common culprit when people consume raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters. The typical presentation is sudden, explosive watery diarrhea with severe abdominal cramps, usually appearing within about a day and often resolving on its own. In contrast, Campylobacter jejuni is more linked to undercooked poultry or unpasteurized dairy and often causes fever and sometimes bloody stools; Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis and ulcers rather than acute diarrheal illness; Shigella dysenteriae causes dysentery with fever and bloody, mucus-filled stools.

Exposure to raw shellfish points to a seafoodborne gastroenteritis caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This organism thrives in saltwater and is a common culprit when people consume raw or undercooked seafood, especially oysters. The typical presentation is sudden, explosive watery diarrhea with severe abdominal cramps, usually appearing within about a day and often resolving on its own.

In contrast, Campylobacter jejuni is more linked to undercooked poultry or unpasteurized dairy and often causes fever and sometimes bloody stools; Helicobacter pylori causes chronic gastritis and ulcers rather than acute diarrheal illness; Shigella dysenteriae causes dysentery with fever and bloody, mucus-filled stools.