Nokea
A patient with a sore throat had a throat smear revealing Gram-positive cocci in pairs. The bacteria were catalase-negative and 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.
Rationale:
1. Gram-positive cocci in pairs suggest Streptococcus species.
2. Catalase-negative rules out Staphylococcus.
3. Beta-hemolytic indicates Streptococcus pyogenes due to its beta-hemolytic properties.
Summary:
B: Streptococcus pneumoniae is catalase-negative but not beta-hemolytic.
C: Enterococcus faecalis is not typically beta-hemolytic.
D: Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive and not typically in pairs.
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Which organism is responsible for cholera?
- A. Salmonella typhi
- B. Vibrio cholerae
- C. Escherichia coli
- D. Shigella dysenteriae
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Vibrio cholerae. Cholera is caused by this specific bacterium. Vibrio cholerae produces a toxin that leads to severe diarrhea and dehydration. Salmonella typhi causes typhoid fever, Escherichia coli can cause various infections but not cholera, and Shigella dysenteriae causes dysentery, not cholera. Therefore, the correct choice is B.
Which bacteria is responsible for causing the disease known as whooping cough?
- A. Clostridium botulinum
- B. Bordetella pertussis
- C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
- D. Neisseria meningitidis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Bordetella pertussis. This bacterium causes whooping cough by infecting the respiratory tract. It produces toxins that lead to severe coughing fits characteristic of the disease. Clostridium botulinum (A) causes botulism, Streptococcus pneumoniae (C) causes pneumonia, and Neisseria meningitidis (D) causes meningitis, not whooping cough. B. pertussis is the only bacterium specifically associated with whooping cough.
A child cut his leg with a piece of glass while playing and was brought to the clinic for the injection of tetanus toxoid. In order to prevent the development of anaphylactic shock the serum was administered by Bezredka method. What mechanism underlies this method of desensitization of the body?
- A. Binding of IgE fixed to the mast cells
- B. Blocking the mediator synthesis in the mast cells
- C. Stimulation of immune tolerance to the antigen
- D. Stimulation of the synthesis of antigenspecific IgG
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Binding of IgE fixed to the mast cells. The Bezredka method involves injecting small, gradually increasing doses of the antigen (tetanus toxoid) to desensitize the body and prevent anaphylactic shock. This process works by binding the IgE antibodies fixed to mast cells, thereby reducing the release of allergic mediators like histamine. This prevents the cascade of events that lead to anaphylactic shock.
Choice B (Blocking the mediator synthesis in the mast cells) is incorrect because the Bezredka method does not block mediator synthesis but rather prevents the release of mediators by binding IgE.
Choice C (Stimulation of immune tolerance to the antigen) is incorrect as the Bezredka method does not primarily focus on inducing immune tolerance but rather on preventing anaphylactic reactions.
Choice D (Stimulation of the synthesis of antigen-specific IgG) is incorrect because the Bezredka method targets IgE antibodies on mast cells
A smear of a patient's sputum suspected for tuberculosis was prepared and stained. The smear showed red bacilli against a blue background. What staining method was used?
- A. Ziehl-Neelsen
- B. Gram
- C. Giemsa
- D. Neisser
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. This method is used to detect acid-fast bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Step-by-step rationale: 1. Acid-fast bacteria resist decolorization with acid-alcohol. 2. The red bacilli seen in the smear indicate acid-fast bacteria. 3. Ziehl-Neelsen stain uses carbol fuchsin to stain acid-fast bacteria red. 4. The blue background is likely the counterstain methylene blue. Incorrect choices: B: Gram stain is for categorizing bacteria into Gram-positive or Gram-negative, not specific for acid-fast bacteria. C: Giemsa stain is used for blood films and detecting parasites, not acid-fast bacteria. D: Neisser stain is not a standard microbiological staining method.
Bacillus intoxication is caused by:
- A. Bacillus subtilis
- B. Bacillus thuringiensis
- C. Bacillus anthracis
- D. Bacillus cereus
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Bacillus cereus. Bacillus intoxication is typically caused by Bacillus cereus, which is a common foodborne pathogen. This bacterium produces toxins that can lead to gastrointestinal illness when ingested. Bacillus subtilis (A) and Bacillus thuringiensis (B) are not known to cause intoxication in humans. Bacillus anthracis (C) causes anthrax, not intoxication. Therefore, Bacillus cereus is the correct choice for Bacillus intoxication.