A patient with a sore throat and fever had a throat culture revealing Gram-positive cocci in chains. The bacteria were beta-hemolytic. What is the most likely causative agent?
- A. Streptococcus pyogenes
- B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
- C. Enterococcus faecalis
- D. Staphylococcus aureus
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pyogenes.
1. Gram-positive cocci in chains suggest streptococci.
2. Beta-hemolytic activity indicates Streptococcus pyogenes.
3. Streptococcus pyogenes is commonly associated with sore throat (pharyngitis) and fever.
4. Streptococcus pneumoniae (choice B) is alpha-hemolytic and mainly causes pneumonia.
5. Enterococcus faecalis (choice C) is not typically associated with sore throat.
6. Staphylococcus aureus (choice D) is not commonly beta-hemolytic and is not a typical cause of pharyngitis.
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Dengue virus is member of a family called
- A. Hepadnaviridae
- B. Parvoviridae
- C. Flaviviridae
- D. Picornaviridae
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Flaviviridae. Dengue virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family because it is a flavivirus. Flaviviruses are a group of RNA viruses known to cause diseases in humans, such as dengue fever, Zika virus, and yellow fever. This family is characterized by its single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome and enveloped virion structure. Hepadnaviridae (choice A), Parvoviridae (choice B), and Picornaviridae (choice D) are all different families of viruses that do not include the dengue virus. Hepadnaviridae includes hepatitis B virus, Parvoviridae includes parvoviruses, and Picornaviridae includes enteroviruses like poliovirus.
The oldest fossils of prokaryotes go back __________ billion years.
- A. 4.0 to 5.0
- B. 3.5 to 4.0
- C. 2.5 to 3.0
- D. 2.2 to 2.7
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: 3.5 to 4.0 billion years. This range aligns with the oldest known fossils of prokaryotes found in ancient rocks. Fossils dating back to this time period provide evidence of early life forms on Earth. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because they fall outside the established timeline based on scientific evidence and fossil records. A (4.0 to 5.0 billion years) is too early for the oldest prokaryote fossils, as it predates the formation of Earth's atmosphere suitable for life. C (2.5 to 3.0 billion years) and D (2.2 to 2.7 billion years) are too recent for the oldest prokaryote fossils, as life is believed to have originated much earlier.
A 38-year-old male complains of tonic tension of the masticatory muscles, so that he cannot open his mouth. 12 days before, he was bitten by an unknown dog. Objectively: there is pronounced tension and twitching of the masticatory muscles. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Tetanus
- B. Rabies
- C. Hysteria
- D. Trigeminal neuralgia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Tetanus. The symptoms of tonic tension of the masticatory muscles following a dog bite are indicative of tetanus, caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. The incubation period of tetanus is usually 3-21 days, consistent with the patient's history of being bitten 12 days ago. Tetanus toxin causes muscle stiffness and spasms, leading to the inability to open the mouth. Rabies (B) presents with hydrophobia and neurological symptoms. Hysteria (C) is a psychological condition. Trigeminal neuralgia (D) is characterized by severe facial pain, not muscle stiffness.
The time response measures all of the following except:
- A. ED50
- B. Peak effect time
- C. Onset of response
- D. Threshold level
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: ED50. The time response does not measure the ED50 because ED50 refers to the effective dose needed to produce a response in 50% of the population, which is a dose-related concept, not a time-related one. Peak effect time, onset of response, and threshold level are all time-related measures in pharmacology. Peak effect time is the time taken to reach the maximum response, onset of response is the time taken for the response to start, and threshold level is the minimum dose or concentration required to produce a response. Therefore, A is the correct answer as it is the only choice that is not a time-related measure in this context.
Ribosomes are a target for antibiotics:
- A. Aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, macrolides and lincosamides
- B. Beta-lactam antibiotics
- C. Antifolate compounds, quinolones and raspicin
- D. None of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ribosomes are the target for antibiotics as they interfere with protein synthesis in bacteria. Aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, macrolides, and lincosamides all target ribosomes by inhibiting protein synthesis at different stages. Beta-lactam antibiotics target cell wall synthesis, not ribosomes. Antifolate compounds, quinolones, and raspicin target DNA synthesis and replication, not ribosomes. Therefore, the correct answer is A as it includes antibiotics that specifically target ribosomes for inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis.