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A patient with a productive cough and fever had a sputum smear revealing Gram-positive cocci in clusters. What is the most likely causative agent?
- A. Staphylococcus aureus
- B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
- C. Neisseria meningitidis
- D. Klebsiella pneumoniae
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive cocci bacterium that forms clusters and commonly causes pneumonia with a productive cough and fever. It is frequently found in sputum smears in such cases. Streptococcus pneumoniae (B) is another common cause of pneumonia but typically appears in pairs or chains, not clusters. Neisseria meningitidis (C) is a Gram-negative diplococcus that causes meningitis, not pneumonia. Klebsiella pneumoniae (D) is a Gram-negative bacterium that can cause pneumonia but appears as Gram-negative rods, not Gram-positive cocci in clusters.
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Bacterial spores are used for:
- A. Protection against phagocytosis
- B. Reproduction
- C. Survival
- D. Nutrient storage
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Survival. Bacterial spores are specialized structures that bacteria form to survive harsh conditions such as extreme temperatures or lack of nutrients. Spores are not used for protection against phagocytosis (A) as they are dormant structures and not actively involved in defense mechanisms. They are not for reproduction (B) as spores are a form of bacterial reproduction but not the primary purpose of spore formation. Spores do not serve as nutrient storage (D) as they are mainly used for survival during unfavorable conditions.
What type of bacteria is responsible for the formation of acid in the stomach?
- A. Staphylococcus aureus
- B. Helicobacter pylori
- C. Bacillus cereus
- D. Clostridium botulinum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Helicobacter pylori. This bacterium is responsible for stomach acid formation by producing an enzyme called urease, which converts urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, leading to an increase in stomach pH. Staphylococcus aureus (A) does not cause stomach acid formation. Bacillus cereus (C) and Clostridium botulinum (D) are not involved in stomach acid processes.
Which of the following is characteristic of Gram-negative bacteria?
- A. Thick peptidoglycan layer
- B. Outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides
- C. Presence of teichoic acids
- D. Absence of a cell wall
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharides. Gram-negative bacteria have an outer membrane that contains lipopolysaccharides, which are important for protection and pathogenicity. This outer membrane is a unique feature of Gram-negative bacteria and is not present in Gram-positive bacteria, making it a key characteristic.
A: Incorrect because Gram-negative bacteria have a thin peptidoglycan layer compared to Gram-positive bacteria.
C: Incorrect because teichoic acids are a characteristic of Gram-positive bacteria, not Gram-negative bacteria.
D: Incorrect because all bacteria, including Gram-negative bacteria, have a cell wall.
After consumption some tinned meat a patient had diplopia, acute headache, deglutition disorder, hard breathing, muscle weakness. The diagnosis was botulism. What factor of pathogenicity are the clinic presentations of this disease connected with?
- A. Exotoxin B.Hemolysin C.Endotoxin D.Plasmocoagulase E.Fibrinolysin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A, Exotoxin. Botulism is caused by the exotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The symptoms described - diplopia, acute headache, deglutition disorder, hard breathing, muscle weakness - are all consistent with botulism due to the neurotoxic effects of the exotoxin. The exotoxin interferes with neurotransmission at the neuromuscular junction, leading to muscle paralysis and the symptoms mentioned. The other choices (B, C, D, E) are incorrect as they do not correspond to the pathogenic mechanism of botulism and do not explain the specific clinical manifestations observed in this case.
Which of the following organisms produces aflatoxin, a carcinogenic substance?
- A. Candida albicans
- B. Claviceps purpurea
- C. Aspergillus flavus
- D. Staphylococcus aureus
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. Aspergillus flavus is a fungus known to produce aflatoxin.
2. Aflatoxin is a potent carcinogen found in contaminated food.
3. Candida albicans is a yeast species not associated with aflatoxin production.
4. Claviceps purpurea is a fungus that produces ergot alkaloids, not aflatoxin.
5. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium known for causing food poisoning, not aflatoxin production.
Summary: Aspergillus flavus is the correct answer as it is the organism known to produce aflatoxin, a carcinogenic substance. Other choices are incorrect as they are not associated with aflatoxin production.