Ciproflaxin is a broad spectrum antibiotic that kills most normal microbial inhabitants in the human gut. Clostridium difficile is found in small numbers in the normal flora of some healthy adults however this normal inhabitant of the gut is not affected by ciproflaxin. Clostridium difficile is innately resistant to ciproflaxin. After therapy with ciproflaxin patients who normally carry Clostridium difficile often exhibit Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. The change in ability of Clostridium difficile to cause disease would best be explained by the statement that [choose the statement below that you would argue is the best explanation] a. Ciproflaxin interacted with Clostridium difficile in a manner to make the organism more pathogenic. b. I do not know the answer to this question. c. Ciproflaxin has killed the microbes that normally compete with Clostridium difficile in the gut allowing the microbe to grow uncontrolled. d. Ciproflaxin acted as a mutagen. Ciproflaxin induced a mutation in Clostridium difficile to make the organism more pathogenic.

Question

Ciproflaxin is a broad spectrum antibiotic that kills most normal microbial inhabitants in the human gut. Clostridium difficile is found in small numbers in the normal flora of some healthy adults however this normal inhabitant of the gut is not affected by ciproflaxin. Clostridium difficile is innately resistant to ciproflaxin. After therapy with ciproflaxin patients who normally carry Clostridium difficile often exhibit Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. The change in ability of Clostridium difficile to cause disease would best be explained by the statement that [choose the statement below that you would argue is the best explanation] a. Ciproflaxin interacted with Clostridium difficile in a manner to make the organism more pathogenic. b. I do not know the answer to this question. c. Ciproflaxin has killed the microbes that normally compete with Clostridium difficile in the gut allowing the microbe to grow uncontrolled. d. Ciproflaxin acted as a mutagen. Ciproflaxin induced a mutation in Clostridium difficile to make the organism more pathogenic.

Biology · College · Mon Jan 18 2021

llm

Answered on Thu Nov 30 2023

The most appropriate explanation among the options provided for the change in the ability of Clostridium difficile to cause disease after therapy with ciprofloxacin would be:

c. Ciproflaxin has killed the microbes that normally compete with Clostridium difficile in the gut, allowing the microbe to grow uncontrolled.

Clostridium difficile, although a part of the normal gut microbiota in small numbers, is typically kept in check by the presence of other microbial species that compete for resources in the gut environment. However, when a broad-spectrum antibiotic like ciprofloxacin is administered, it can indiscriminately kill a wide range of bacteria, including those beneficial or competitive for resources.
This removal of competing bacteria creates an environment conducive for Clostridium difficile to grow and thrive without competition, leading to its overgrowth and potential pathogenicity. This uncontrolled growth of Clostridium difficile can result in Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, which is a known complication following antibiotic therapy.

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