Question

A drug with which of the following effects would be useful in preventing the disruption of intestinal tight junctions and the resulting diarrhea?

A. causes a tighter bond between the type IV pilus and the host cell
B. interferes with teichoic acid on the surface of the E.coli bacteria
C. prevents depolymerization of the type IV pilus
D. prevents intestinal peristalsis

Answer 1

A drug that interferes with teichoic acid on the surface of E.coli bacteria would be useful in preventing the disruption of intestinal tight junctions and the resulting diarrhea. Option B is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

A drug that prevents the disruption of intestinal tight junctions and the resulting diarrhea would be one that interferes with the factors that cause the breakdown of these tight junctions. Option B, which is a drug that interferes with teichoic acid on the surface of the E.coli bacteria, would be useful in preventing the disruption of intestinal tight junctions. Teichoic acid is a component of the bacterial cell wall that plays a role in adherence and colonization of the bacteria. By interfering with teichoic acid, the drug would prevent the bacteria from causing damage to the tight junctions and thus prevent diarrhea.