What is a common cause of bacterial enteritis that often leads to post-infectious Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Campylobacter jejuni is recognized as a common cause of bacterial enteritis, particularly in younger populations, and it has a well-established association with the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following an infection. The pathophysiology involves molecular mimicry, where the immune response to the Campylobacter bacteria inadvertently targets peripheral nervous system components, leading to the autoimmune response characteristic of GBS. This syndrome can cause acute flaccid paralysis and other neurological symptoms, which can emerge days to weeks after the gastrointestinal symptoms resolve.

The other organisms listed, while they can cause enteritis, do not have the same strong association with GBS. For instance, Escherichia coli can lead to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms, but its link to GBS is not as pronounced. Similarly, while Salmonella and Shigella are implicated in enteric infections and can lead to complications, they have not been shown to be significant triggers for GBS in the way that Campylobacter jejuni has. This specific connection makes Campylobacter jejuni the correct choice in the context of the question regarding bacterial enteritis leading to post-infectious Guillain-Barré syndrome.