Microbiology Chapter 12 Test Bank Related

Review Microbiology Chapter 12 Test Bank related questions and content

A family has two children. The younger child is under the year. The child has developed spastic cough attacks. Similar clinical presentation was observed in the elder preschool child one month ago. The doctor suspects pertussis infection. What method enables retrospective diagnostics of this disease?

  • A. Serological
  • B. Biological
  • C. Bacteriological
  • D. Molecular biological
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Serological. Serological testing involves analyzing blood samples for specific antibodies produced in response to the pertussis infection. This method can detect past infections by identifying the presence of antibodies against the pertussis bacteria in the blood. In this case, since the doctor suspects pertussis infection in both children, serological testing can confirm if they have been exposed to the bacteria.

Summary:
B: Biological testing does not specifically target pertussis antibodies in the blood.
C: Bacteriological testing involves culturing bacteria from samples, which may not be as sensitive for retrospective diagnosis.
D: Molecular biological testing focuses on genetic material of the bacteria, which may not provide direct evidence of past infection.