CFTR and Secretory diarrhea: These symptoms are similar to the human secretory diarrhea, which is predominantly due to the robust secretion of chloride and bicarbonate ions.[39] One prototypical example of secretory diarrhea is cholera,[40] in which Vibrio cholerae produces the cholera toxin and triggers the activation of CFTR.[41] Without medical treatment, secretory diarrhea can lead to severe electrolyte abnormalities, acidosis, acute renal failure, hypovolemic shock, and death in human patients.