Review Question - QID 108941

A 45-year-old male presents to the emergency room complaining of severe diarrhea. He recently returned from a business trip to Bangladesh. Since returning, he has experienced several loose bloody stools per day that are accompanied by abdominal cramping and occasional nausea and vomiting. His temperature is 101.7°F (38.7°C), blood pressure is 100/60 mmHg, pulse is 120/min, and respirations are 20/min. On examination, he demonstrates mild tenderness to palpation throughout his abdomen, delayed capillary refill, and dry mucus membranes. Results from a stool sample and subsequent stool culture are pending. What is the mechanism of action of the toxin elaborated by the pathogen responsible for this patient’s current condition?