Which condition can occur as a result of E. coli poisoning and involves kidney damage?

Which condition can occur as a result of E. coli poisoning and involves kidney damage?

• A. Hepatic Cirrhosis
• B. Glomerulonephritis
• C. Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
• D. Nephrolithiasis

Answer: (C)

When E. coli produces Shiga toxin, it can damage the lining of tiny blood vessels, especially in the kidneys. This leads to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a condition where small clots form in the microvasculature of the kidneys, causing red blood cells to break apart and platelets to fall. The result is acute kidney injury along with signs of hemolysis and low platelets, often after a diarrheal illness. This direct link between the toxin exposure from E. coli and kidney damage is why Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is the best match for the described scenario. Hepatic cirrhosis is liver scarring, not a typical consequence of E. coli poisoning. Glomerulonephritis is kidney inflammation but not the classic toxin-mediated microangiopathy that leads to the hemolysis and kidney failure seen in this context. Nephrolithiasis refers to kidney stones, which aren’t caused by E. coli poisoning.

When E. coli produces Shiga toxin, it can damage the lining of tiny blood vessels, especially in the kidneys. This leads to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a condition where small clots form in the microvasculature of the kidneys, causing red blood cells to break apart and platelets to fall. The result is acute kidney injury along with signs of hemolysis and low platelets, often after a diarrheal illness. This direct link between the toxin exposure from E. coli and kidney damage is why Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is the best match for the described scenario.

Hepatic cirrhosis is liver scarring, not a typical consequence of E. coli poisoning. Glomerulonephritis is kidney inflammation but not the classic toxin-mediated microangiopathy that leads to the hemolysis and kidney failure seen in this context. Nephrolithiasis refers to kidney stones, which aren’t caused by E. coli poisoning.