Final answer:
Intestinal diseases such as giardiasis and amoebic dysentery can be caused by bacteria or fungi, often leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and in severe cases, bloody stool. Bacterial and fungal agents cause disease through infection and intoxication, common in foodborne illnesses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Diseases of the Intestine Caused by Bacteria or Fungi
Intestinal diseases can be a result of infections from bacteria or fungi. One common affliction is giardiasis, which is caused by the flagellated protist Giardia lamblia. This organism attaches to the intestinal mucosa, using a disk made of microtubules to create suction and block nutrient absorption. This can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Another severe form of infection is amoebic dysentery, caused by Entamoeba histolytica, characterized by bloody diarrhea. Fungi can cause issues through intoxication, such as those from the antifungal class polyene, used to treat systemic fungal infections. In both bacterial and fungal cases, the presence of toxins that damage gastrointestinal cells is a common mechanism leading to disease.
Bacterial contamination of food is a primary source for gastrointestinal diseases. Infection occurs when microbes colonize the gut and produce toxins while intoxication results from ingesting pre-formed toxins in food. The aftermath can include vomiting and severe diarrhea, as the body attempts to rid itself of the infectious agents.