Which organism is classically associated with rice-water stools?

Which organism is classically associated with rice-water stools?

• A. Vibrio cholerae
• B. Shigella dysenteriae
• C. Escherichia coli
• D. Salmonella enterica

Answer: (A)

Rice-water stools are the classic sign of cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae. The cholera toxin triggers a surge of cyclic AMP in enterocytes, driving massive, noninflammatory secretion of water and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen. The result is a copious, pale, milky diarrhea with flecks of mucus that gives the “rice-water” appearance. These stools typically lack blood or fecal leukocytes, reflecting a secretory rather than inflammatory process. Transmission usually occurs through contaminated water, and the key treatment is rapid rehydration to replace fluids and electrolytes. Other organisms listed don’t produce this distinct secretory, noninflammatory watery diarrhea with the rice-water appearance. Shigella dysenteriae causes dysentery with blood and pus; pathogenic Escherichia coli can cause watery or bloody diarrhea depending on the strain; Salmonella enterica often causes inflammatory diarrhea with fever.

Rice-water stools are the classic sign of cholera, caused by Vibrio cholerae. The cholera toxin triggers a surge of cyclic AMP in enterocytes, driving massive, noninflammatory secretion of water and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen. The result is a copious, pale, milky diarrhea with flecks of mucus that gives the “rice-water” appearance. These stools typically lack blood or fecal leukocytes, reflecting a secretory rather than inflammatory process. Transmission usually occurs through contaminated water, and the key treatment is rapid rehydration to replace fluids and electrolytes.

Other organisms listed don’t produce this distinct secretory, noninflammatory watery diarrhea with the rice-water appearance. Shigella dysenteriae causes dysentery with blood and pus; pathogenic Escherichia coli can cause watery or bloody diarrhea depending on the strain; Salmonella enterica often causes inflammatory diarrhea with fever.