A bacteriological laboratory has been investigating a sample of homemade dried fish that was the cause of severe food poisoning. Microscopy of the culture inoculated in Kitt-Tarozzi medium revealed microorganisms resembling a tennis racket. What diagnosis can be made?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Botulism. The tennis racket appearance seen under the microscope is characteristic of Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium responsible for botulism. This bacterium produces spores that resemble a tennis racket shape. Botulism is a type of food poisoning caused by the ingestion of the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum.
Summary:
B: Salmonellosis is caused by Salmonella bacteria, which do not exhibit a tennis racket appearance.
C: Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae, which also does not resemble a tennis racket under the microscope.
D: Dysentery is typically caused by bacteria such as Shigella or Entamoeba histolytica, neither of which exhibit the characteristic tennis racket appearance.