A patient with fever and enlarged lymph nodes had a blood smear examined under the microscope. Spiral microorganisms with pointed ends were detected. What is the likely diagnosis?
- A. Syphilis
- B. Leptospirosis
- C. Lyme disease
- D. Relapsing fever
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: The correct answer is A: Syphilis. Spiral microorganisms with pointed ends are characteristic of Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis. This bacterium is known for its corkscrew shape. Other choices are incorrect because Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and Relapsing fever are caused by different pathogens and do not exhibit spiral microorganisms on blood smears. Syphilis should be suspected in the presence of these specific spiral microorganisms.
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Which statement about the epidemiology and specific prophylactic of Haemophilus influenzae is NOT CORRECT?
- A. Non-encapsulated strains can be isolated from healthy carriers
- B. There is an effective killed vaccine, protective against all capsular types of Haemophilus spp.
- C. The infection is airborne
- D. None of the above
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because there is no effective killed vaccine that is protective against all capsular types of Haemophilus spp. The Haemophilus influenzae vaccine primarily targets specific capsular types, not all of them. Choice A is incorrect because non-encapsulated strains can indeed be isolated from healthy carriers. Choice C is incorrect as Haemophilus influenzae is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets, not through the air. Choice D is not correct because Choice B is indeed incorrect, making it the right answer.
The most common causative agents of bacterial meningitis are:
- A. Neisseria meningitidis
- B. Streptococcus pneumonia, Neisseria Meningitidis, hemophilus influenz
- C. Rubella virus
- D. Herpangina
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae are the most common causative agents of bacterial meningitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause in adults, Neisseria meningitidis is common in adolescents and young adults, and Haemophilus influenzae is more frequent in children. The other choices, Rubella virus (C) and Herpangina (D), are not bacterial agents known to cause meningitis.
Which bacteria produce exotoxins that can cause severe dehydration and diarrhea?
- A. Vibrio cholerae
- B. Clostridium tetani
- C. Escherichia coli
- D. Shigella dysenteriae
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Vibrio cholerae. This bacterium produces cholera toxin, an exotoxin that causes severe dehydration and diarrhea by increasing the secretion of electrolytes and water in the intestines. Vibrio cholerae is the causative agent of cholera, a disease characterized by profuse watery diarrhea. Choice B, Clostridium tetani, produces tetanospasmin causing tetanus, not dehydration or diarrhea. Choice C, Escherichia coli, can cause diarrhea but rarely severe dehydration. Choice D, Shigella dysenteriae, produces Shiga toxin leading to bloody diarrhea, not severe dehydration.
Which bacteria is responsible for causing the disease known as tuberculosis?
- A. Mycobacterium leprae
- B. Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
- D. Clostridium botulinum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This bacterium is responsible for causing tuberculosis as it specifically infects the lungs and can spread through the air. Mycobacterium leprae (choice A) causes leprosy, not tuberculosis. Streptococcus pneumoniae (choice C) is a common cause of pneumonia but not tuberculosis. Clostridium botulinum (choice D) causes botulism, a different disease unrelated to tuberculosis. Therefore, the unique characteristics and infection pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis make it the correct choice for the bacteria responsible for causing tuberculosis.
Complement fixation test
- A. Is done in three stages
- B. Is a test that can be used to detect the presence of either specific antibody or specific antigen in a patient's serum
- C. Is done with human, not standardized complement proteins
- D. Can be made with or without sheep red blood cells
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because the complement fixation test is a serological test that detects the presence of specific antibodies or antigens in a patient's serum. It works by measuring the ability of antibodies to fix complement proteins. Choice A is incorrect because the complement fixation test typically involves several steps, not necessarily three. Choice C is incorrect as standardized complement proteins are commonly used in this test. Choice D is incorrect because sheep red blood cells are not essential for performing the complement fixation test.