A 7-year-old girl is brought to the physician for a 3-day history of loose stools, flatulence, and bloating after meals. Approximately one month ago, her 9-year-old brother, both her parents, and she all had mild watery diarrhea that lasted approximately 4 days after eating seafood from a fish market. They have all since recovered. The patient’s stool pH is reduced. A duodenal biopsy from a similar patient is shown.
Which of the following is the most likely explanation for this patient’s acute presentation?
A) ADP ribosylation of adenylyl cyclase
B) ADP ribosylation of guanylyl cyclase
C) Autoimmunity to dietary protein
D) Protozoal infection
E) Transient brush border enzyme deficiency
