The etiological agent of cholera affects the intestines.

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Multiple Choice

The etiological agent of cholera affects the intestines.

Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae, which colonizes the mucosa of the small intestine and releases cholera toxin. This toxin raises cAMP levels in enterocytes, driving massive chloride and water secretion into the intestinal lumen and resulting in the characteristic profuse watery diarrhea. The disease is enteric and toxin-mediated rather than invading tissues systemically, so the primary organ affected is the intestinal tract. Lungs, liver, and brain are not the main targets of cholera, making the intestines the correct site of action.

Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae, which colonizes the mucosa of the small intestine and releases cholera toxin. This toxin raises cAMP levels in enterocytes, driving massive chloride and water secretion into the intestinal lumen and resulting in the characteristic profuse watery diarrhea. The disease is enteric and toxin-mediated rather than invading tissues systemically, so the primary organ affected is the intestinal tract. Lungs, liver, and brain are not the main targets of cholera, making the intestines the correct site of action.

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