Nokea
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.
You may also like to solve these questions
Which of the following stains is the most widely used differential stain in hematology laboratories?
- A. Carbolfuchsin stain
- B. Wright’s stain
- C. Ziehl-Neelson stain
- D. Kinyoun stain
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Kinyoun stain. This stain is the most widely used differential stain in hematology labs because it is specifically designed for acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It differentiates these bacteria from others based on their cell wall composition. Carbolfuchsin stain (A) is used for acid-fast bacteria in microbiology. Wright's stain (B) is used for blood cell morphology. Ziehl-Neelsen stain (C) is also used for acid-fast bacteria but is less commonly used compared to Kinyoun stain in hematology labs.
Which bacteria is responsible for causing leprosy?
- A. Streptococcus pyogenes
- B. Mycobacterium leprae
- C. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- D. Escherichia coli
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mycobacterium leprae. This bacterium is responsible for causing leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease. Mycobacterium leprae specifically targets the skin, peripheral nerves, and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract. It is an acid-fast bacterium with a slow growth rate, making it difficult to culture in the laboratory. Streptococcus pyogenes (choice A) is responsible for various infections such as strep throat, Neisseria gonorrhoeae (choice C) causes gonorrhea, and Escherichia coli (choice D) is commonly found in the gut and can lead to various infections but not leprosy.
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.
Which of the following transport mechanisms transports water across the plasma membrane?
- A. osmosis
- B. facilitated diffusion
- C. phagocytosis
- D. exocytosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Osmosis is the correct answer because it is the process by which water molecules move across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration. This movement occurs passively, driven by the concentration gradient. Facilitated diffusion (B) involves the transport of specific molecules with the help of carrier proteins, not water. Phagocytosis (C) is a process where cells engulf solid particles, not water molecules. Exocytosis (D) is the process of releasing substances from a cell by fusion of vesicles with the cell membrane, not the transport of water across the membrane.
Erysipelas is a bacterial infection characterised by well-defined areas of bright-red, inflamed and rough or leathery skin. Which one is the causative agent:
- A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- B. Staphylococcus aureus
- C. Streptococcus pyogenes
- D. Candida albicans
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for Choice C (Streptococcus pyogenes) being the correct answer:
1. Erysipelas is a skin infection characterized by well-defined red, inflamed skin areas.
2. Streptococcus pyogenes is a common causative agent of erysipelas.
3. This bacterium produces enzymes that break down skin proteins, leading to the characteristic symptoms of erysipelas.
4. Streptococcus pyogenes is known for causing skin infections, including erysipelas.
Summary of why the other choices are incorrect:
A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Typically causes opportunistic infections, but not commonly associated with erysipelas.
B. Staphylococcus aureus: Can cause skin infections, but not typically associated with erysipelas.
D. Candida albicans: Fungal infection, not a bacterium, and not known to cause erysipelas.