microbiology chapter 11 test bank Related

Review microbiology chapter 11 test bank related questions and content

A stool sample from a patient with persistent diarrhea revealed cysts with four nuclei. What is the most likely causative agent?

  • A. Entamoeba histolytica
  • B. Balantidium coli
  • C. Giardia lamblia
  • D. Trichomonas hominis
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba histolytica. This is because it is the only choice that matches the description of cysts with four nuclei, characteristic of Entamoeba histolytica. Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite that causes amoebiasis, leading to symptoms like persistent diarrhea.

The other choices can be eliminated for the following reasons:
B: Balantidium coli - It is a ciliated protozoan that causes dysentery in humans but does not produce cysts with four nuclei.
C: Giardia lamblia - It is a flagellated protozoan that causes giardiasis, but it forms cysts with only two nuclei.
D: Trichomonas hominis - It is a flagellated protozoan found in the human intestine, but it does not produce cysts with four nuclei.

Therefore, based on the description of cysts with four nuclei in the stool sample,