Which pathogen is commonly associated with severe abdominal pain in cases of infective gastroenteritis?

Severe abdominal pain in cases of infective gastroenteritis is commonly associated with Campylobacter. This pathogen is known for causing significant gastrointestinal symptoms, including intense abdominal cramps and pain, often accompanied by diarrhea that may be bloody. Campylobacter jejuni, the most common species, infects the intestinal lining, leading to inflammation which can result in severe cramping and discomfort.

While other pathogens listed can also cause gastroenteritis, they typically present with different symptom profiles. For instance, Escherichia coli infections can vary widely in severity and symptoms depending on the strain, but strains such as E. coli O157:H7 are more often associated with hemolytic-uremic syndrome rather than predominant abdominal pain alone. Salmonella infections tend to feature more systemic symptoms, including fever, alongside abdominal pain but are not typically characterized by severe cramps. Norovirus is notorious for causing outbreaks of gastroenteritis, often characterized by sudden onset nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, with abdominal pain not being as severe or as characteristic as seen with Campylobacter infections.

Overall, the mechanism by which Campylobacter causes abdominal pain, coupled with its clinical presentation, aligns with the recognition of this pathogen as a common cause of significant gastrointestinal distress in infect