The most plausible mechanism for contracting pseudomembranous colitis is heavy antibiotic usage, which creates a favorable environment for C. difficile, the bacterium responsible for the condition.
Pseudomembranous colitis is commonly associated with disruption of the natural intestinal flora due to heavy antibiotic usage. The causative agent, Clostridium difficile, flourishes when normal microbiota are suppressed, releasing toxins that lead to inflammation and the formation of a pseudomembrane in the colon. This condition is clinically diagnosed by considering a patient's history, including exposure to antibiotics, and observation of symptoms such as watery diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain.
Consuming unpasteurized fruit juices, raw contaminated eggs, or undercooked poultry, while risky for other pathogens, is not typically associated with pseudomembranous colitis.
The most plausible mechanism for contracting pseudomembranous colitis among the given options is heavy antibiotic usage, which can disrupt gut microbiota and pave the way for C. difficile infection.