Certified in Public Health (CPH) Practice Exam

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Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is caused by which organism?

West Nile Virus
E. coli strain 0157:H7
Cryptosporidium
Streptococcus pneumoniae

The correct answer is: E. coli strain 0157:H7

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) is primarily associated with infection caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli strain O157:H7. This particular strain of E. coli produces a potent toxin known as Shiga toxin, which can lead to serious complications including acute kidney failure, hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia. The mechanism involves the toxin damaging the blood vessels, especially in the kidneys, leading to the symptoms associated with HUS. While other organisms listed may cause various infections, they are not directly linked to HUS. For example, West Nile Virus is primarily a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes affecting the nervous system, while Cryptosporidium is a protozoan that can cause gastrointestinal illness. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium primarily responsible for pneumonia and other respiratory infections, but it does not cause HUS. Therefore, the linkage of E. coli O157:H7 to HUS is well established in public health, making it the correct answer in this context.