Nokea
A patient with fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and bacteremia was diagnosed with plague. The Gram-stained smear revealed bipolar-staining, Gram-negative rods. What is the causative agent?
- A. Yersinia pestis
- B. Francisella tularensis
- C. Brucella abortus
- D. Clostridium botulinum
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Yersinia pestis. Y. pestis is the causative agent of plague, characterized by fever, enlarged lymph nodes, and bacteremia. The bipolar-staining, Gram-negative rods seen on Gram stain are typical of Y. pestis.
Incorrect choices:
B: Francisella tularensis causes tularemia, not plague.
C: Brucella abortus causes brucellosis, not plague.
D: Clostridium botulinum causes botulism, not plague.
In summary, the key features of the patient's presentation and the Gram stain findings align with Yersinia pestis as the correct causative agent of plague.
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The eukaryotes known for the presence of a macronucleus and a micronucleus are:
- A. algae
- B. fungi
- C. protozoans
- D. slime molds
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: protozoans. Protozoans are eukaryotic organisms that possess both a macronucleus, responsible for general cell functions, and a micronucleus, involved in genetic processes like reproduction. Algae (choice A) typically have a single nucleus, fungi (choice B) lack distinct macronucleus and micronucleus structures, and slime molds (choice D) do not have the same nucleus organization as protozoans. Thus, protozoans are the only group among the choices that exhibit the specific characteristics of having both a macronucleus and a micronucleus.
The immunity in syphilis is:
- A. Nonsterile (infectious)
- B. Antitoxic
- C. Humoral
- D. A + B + C
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because immunity in syphilis is nonsterile, meaning that individuals who have been infected may still carry the bacteria and be capable of transmitting the disease. This is due to the ability of the bacterium causing syphilis, Treponema pallidum, to evade the immune system by hiding within host cells.
Option B, antitoxic, is incorrect because syphilis is not caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria, but rather by the bacterium itself.
Option C, humoral, is also incorrect as syphilis immunity involves both humoral (antibody-mediated) and cell-mediated immune responses, not solely humoral immunity.
Option D is incorrect as it includes all three options, whereas in reality, the immunity in syphilis is primarily nonsterile.
Which one of the following is a normal skin flora?
- A. Streptococcus pyogenes
- B. Staphylococcus epidermidis
- C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- D. Acinetobacter baumannii
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Staphylococcus epidermidis. This bacterium is a normal skin flora commonly found on human skin. It is part of the skin microbiota and helps protect against pathogenic organisms. Streptococcus pyogenes (A), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (C), and Acinetobacter baumannii (D) are not normal skin flora. Streptococcus pyogenes is a pathogenic bacterium causing various infections, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen commonly found in water and soil, and Acinetobacter baumannii is associated with healthcare-associated infections.
A patient with suspicion on epidemic typhus was admitted to the hospital. Some arachnids and insects have been found in his flat. Which of them may be a carrier of the pathogen of epidemic typhus?
- A. Lice
- B. Spiders
- C. Bed-bugs
- D. Cockroaches
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Lice. Lice, specifically body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis), are known carriers of the pathogen Rickettsia prowazekii, which causes epidemic typhus. Body lice are commonly found in unsanitary conditions and can transmit the bacteria through their bites. Spiders (choice B), bed-bugs (choice C), and cockroaches (choice D) are not known vectors of epidemic typhus. Spiders are predators that do not transmit diseases to humans, while bed-bugs and cockroaches are associated with other health issues but not epidemic typhus transmission.
A patient with a productive cough and fever had a Gram-positive cocci isolated from a sputum sample. The bacteria were catalase-positive and coagulase-negative. What is the likely microorganism?
- A. Staphylococcus epidermidis
- B. Staphylococcus aureus
- C. Streptococcus pneumoniae
- D. Neisseria meningitidis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus epidermidis.
1. Gram-positive cocci suggest a staphylococcal species.
2. Catalase-positive indicates it belongs to the Staphylococcus genus.
3. Coagulase-negative rules out Staphylococcus aureus.
4. Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common cause of infections in immunocompromised patients.
Summary:
- B: Staphylococcus aureus is coagulase-positive.
- C: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a Gram-positive diplococci.
- D: Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative diplococci.