Question:

Several residents in a village develop watery followed by bloody diarrhea after consuming unpasteurized milk. Stool microscopy reveals Gram-negative curved bacilli with polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Identify the most likely pathogen.

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Unpasteurized milk + bloody diarrhea + curved Gram-negative bacilli = Campylobacter jejuni.
Updated On: May 14, 2026
  • Clostridium perfringens
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Vibrio parahaemolyticus
  • Campylobacter jejuni
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Campylobacter jejuni causes inflammatory diarrhea, often after ingestion of contaminated food or unpasteurized milk. It is a Gram-negative curved or comma-shaped bacillus.

Step 1:
Identify exposure.
The outbreak occurred after consuming: \[ \text{Unpasteurized milk} \]

Step 2:
Identify stool findings.
Gram-negative curved bacilli with polymorphonuclear leukocytes indicate invasive inflammatory diarrhea.

Step 3:
Choose pathogen.
The most likely pathogen is: \[ \textit{Campylobacter jejuni} \]
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