What type of infectious diarrhea is characterized by a high leukocyte count and is often associated with antibiotic use?

The choice of Clostridium difficile as the correct answer is based on its well-established association with antibiotic use and the clinical presentation it evokes in patients. Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) often occurs in individuals who have recently been treated with antibiotics, as these medications can disrupt the normal gut flora, allowing C. difficile to proliferate and produce toxins that lead to diarrhea.

In cases of CDI, a high leukocyte count is commonly observed as the body mounts an inflammatory response to the bacterial infection. This leukocytosis serves as a clinical marker indicating an active infection and inflammation in the intestines.

In contrast, while other pathogens like Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter can also cause diarrhea, they do not have the same strong association with prior antibiotic use and may not consistently result in a high leukocyte count. For instance, Salmonella infections are often foodborne and may present with different clinical features depending on the strain involved, while Shigella and Campylobacter infections can sometimes present with low leukocyte counts and are more commonly associated with inflammatory diarrhea in certain populations but without the direct correlation to antibiotic therapy that C. difficile has.