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A patient presents with diarrhea and dehydration. A fecal smear stained by Gram's method revealed Gram-negative, comma-shaped bacteria. What is the causative agent?
- A. Vibrio cholerae
- B. Salmonella typhi
- C. Shigella dysenteriae
- D. Escherichia coli
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Vibrio cholerae. Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent of cholera, which presents with severe watery diarrhea leading to dehydration. The characteristic comma-shaped (curved rod) appearance of Gram-negative bacteria is typical of Vibrio cholerae. This bacterium produces the cholera toxin, leading to the excessive secretion of fluid into the intestines. Salmonella typhi causes typhoid fever with symptoms like sustained fever, not watery diarrhea. Shigella dysenteriae causes bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Escherichia coli can cause various types of infections, but typically not severe watery diarrhea like cholera.
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Bacillary dysentery is also called:
- A. salmonellosis
- B. shigellosis
- C. typhoid fever
- D. campylobacteriosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Bacillary dysentery is caused by the bacterium Shigella, hence it is also known as shigellosis. Shigella is the primary pathogen responsible for this infectious disease, leading to severe diarrhea with blood and mucus. Salmonellosis (A) is caused by Salmonella bacteria, not Shigella. Typhoid fever (C) is caused by Salmonella typhi, not Shigella. Campylobacteriosis (D) is caused by Campylobacter bacteria, not Shigella. Therefore, the correct answer is B because Shigella is the specific bacterium associated with bacillary dysentery.
On the territory of a certain region the mass death of rodents was observed. It was assumed that it may be caused by plague agent. What serological reaction should be applied for quick determination of antigen of this epizootic agent?
- A. Precipitation reaction
- B. Agglutination reaction
- C. Reaction of passive hemagglutination
- D. Bordet-Gengou test
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Agglutination reaction. This is the most suitable serological reaction for the quick determination of the antigen of the epizootic agent causing mass rodent deaths. In agglutination reaction, antibodies cause the clumping of antigens, allowing for easy visual detection of the presence of the specific antigen. This is efficient for rapid diagnosis in cases of suspected infectious diseases like plague.
A: Precipitation reaction is more suitable for identifying soluble antigens, not for quick determination of a specific antigen in this scenario.
C: Reaction of passive hemagglutination is used for measuring the presence of antibodies, not antigens.
D: Bordet-Gengou test is a specific test for the identification of Bordetella pertussis bacterium, not suitable for this scenario.
The antibiotics penicillin and cephalosporin are produced by:
- A. algae
- B. slime molds
- C. fungi
- D. protozoans
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: fungi. Both penicillin and cephalosporin are produced by certain species of fungi. Penicillin is derived from the Penicillium fungi, while cephalosporin is produced by Cephalosporium fungi. Fungi have the ability to synthesize these antibiotics as part of their defense mechanisms against other microorganisms. Algae (A), slime molds (B), and protozoans (D) do not have the capability to produce antibiotics like penicillin and cephalosporin. Algae are mainly photosynthetic organisms, slime molds are protists that lack the ability to synthesize complex antibiotics, and protozoans are single-celled eukaryotic organisms that do not produce antibiotics like fungi do.
Which of the following bacteria is known for producing a neurotoxin that causes paralysis?
- A. Clostridium botulinum
- B. Clostridium perfringens
- C. Escherichia coli
- D. Staphylococcus aureus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium produces the botulinum neurotoxin, which causes paralysis by blocking the release of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions. Clostridium perfringens causes gas gangrene, not paralysis. Escherichia coli is associated with gastrointestinal infections, not paralysis. Staphylococcus aureus produces enterotoxins causing food poisoning, not paralysis. Therefore, Clostridium botulinum is the correct choice based on its well-known association with paralysis due to botulinum neurotoxin production.
Examination of duodenal contents revealed some pyriform protozoa with twin nuclei and four pairs of flagella. There were two supporting filaments between the nuclei and a suctorial disc on the ventral side. What representative of protozoa was revealed in this patient?
- A. Lamblia
- B. Toxoplasma
- C. Leishmania
- D. Intestinal trichomonad
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Intestinal trichomonad. This protozoan matches the description provided, with pyriform shape, twin nuclei, four pairs of flagella, supporting filaments, and a suctorial disc. Lamblia (A) lacks flagella and supporting filaments. Toxoplasma (B) is an intracellular parasite with different morphology. Leishmania (C) belongs to a different class with no flagella or supporting filaments. In summary, the unique combination of features described in the question points to an intestinal trichomonad, making it the correct answer.