microbiology basic and clinical principles test bank Related

Review microbiology basic and clinical principles test bank related questions and content

A patient with fever and sore throat had a throat culture revealing Gram-positive cocci in chains. 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.
1. Gram-positive cocci in chains: characteristic of Streptococcus species.
2. Catalase-negative: Streptococcus species are catalase-negative.
3. Beta-hemolytic: S. pyogenes is beta-hemolytic on blood agar.
Therefore, S. pyogenes fits all these criteria.
B: Streptococcus pneumoniae is catalase-negative but alpha-hemolytic, not beta-hemolytic.
C: Enterococcus faecalis is catalase-negative, but not typically beta-hemolytic or in chains.
D: Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive and not in chains.