Which of the Following Can Result When Antibiotic Therapy Disrupts

Question

Which of the following can result when antibiotic therapy disrupts the normal microbiota?
A) anaphylactic shock
B) black hairy tongue
C) pseudomembranous colitis
D) thrush
E) both pseudomembranous colitis and thrush

Accepted Answer

Antibiotic therapy can disrupt the normal microbiota in the body, leading to the overgrowth of opportunistic pathogens. Pseudomembranous colitis and thrush are two examples of infections that can result from this disruption. Pseudomembranous colitis is caused by an overgrowth of Clostridium difficile, which can occur when normal gut flora is reduced by antibiotics. Thrush is caused by an overgrowth of Candida yeast, which can occur when normal oral or vaginal microbiota is disrupted by antibiotics. Anaphylactic shock and black hairy tongue are not associated with disruption of the normal microbiota by antibiotic therapy.