microbiology chapter 11 test bank Related

Review microbiology chapter 11 test bank related questions and content

A fecal smear from a patient with severe diarrhea revealed motile Gram-negative rods with a comma shape. What is the likely causative agent?

  • A. Vibrio cholerae
  • B. Shigella dysenteriae
  • C. Salmonella typhi
  • D. Escherichia coli
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Vibrio cholerae. This bacterium is the likely causative agent because it is known to cause severe diarrhea, and it is characterized by its motile, comma-shaped Gram-negative rods. Vibrio cholerae produces cholera toxin, leading to profuse watery diarrhea. Shigella dysenteriae causes dysentery with bloody diarrhea, Salmonella typhi causes typhoid fever, and Escherichia coli can cause various types of diarrhea but typically does not have a comma shape.