Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by:
- A. Borrelia burgdorferi
- B. Rickettsia rickettsii
- C. Rickettsia prowazekii
- D. Ehrlichia chaffeensis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Rickettsia rickettsii. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a bacterium transmitted by ticks. This pathogen primarily affects the endothelial cells of blood vessels, leading to vasculitis. Borrelia burgdorferi (choice A) causes Lyme disease, not Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Rickettsia prowazekii (choice C) causes epidemic typhus, and Ehrlichia chaffeensis (choice D) causes human monocytic ehrlichiosis, both of which are distinct from Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Therefore, the correct choice is B based on the specific etiology of the disease.
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A woman hospitalized in the surgical department complains of pain in her lower abdomen and in the small of her back, frequent and painful urination. Urine culture test revealed gram-negative oxidase- positive bacilli that formed green mucoid colonies with specific smell. What causative agent can be suspected?
- A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- B. Mycoplasma pneumonia
- C. Str.pyogenes
- D. Proteus mirabilis Helicobacter
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Proteus mirabilis. The patient's symptoms of lower abdominal pain, back pain, frequent/painful urination, and the presence of gram-negative oxidase-positive bacilli forming green mucoid colonies with a specific smell suggest a urinary tract infection caused by Proteus mirabilis. This bacterium is known for causing UTIs and is characterized by its swarming motility and distinctive odor.
A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections but does not typically cause UTIs with the specific characteristics described.
B: Mycoplasma pneumonia is a bacterium that causes respiratory infections, not UTIs.
C: Str.pyogenes (Streptococcus pyogenes) is a common cause of strep throat and skin infections, not UTIs.
D: Helicobacter pylori is associated with gastritis and peptic ulcers, not UTIs.
Which of the following media is often used to grow Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
- A. Middlebrook’s medium
- B. Heart infusion broth
- C. MacConkey agar
- D. Middlebrook’s medium
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Middlebrook's medium. This medium is specifically designed for the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis due to its low concentration of malachite green, which inhibits the growth of other bacteria but not Mycobacterium species. Middlebrook's medium also contains various nutrients that support the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
A: Middlebrook's medium is the correct answer, not incorrect.
B: Heart infusion broth is a general-purpose medium, not specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
C: MacConkey agar is selective for gram-negative bacteria and would not support the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
In summary, Middlebrook's medium is the ideal choice for cultivating Mycobacterium tuberculosis due to its specific formulation that promotes the growth of this pathogen while inhibiting other bacteria.
What are the two main targets currently used in anti-HIV therapy?
- A. Reverse transcriptase and something integrase
- B. Reverse transcriptase and protease
- C. Protease and integrase
- D. Viral glycoproteins gp120 and gp41
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Reverse transcriptase and protease. Reverse transcriptase converts viral RNA into DNA, a crucial step in viral replication. Protease is responsible for cleaving viral polyproteins into functional proteins. Targeting both enzymes disrupts viral replication. Choice A is incorrect as integrase is not a main target in current therapy. Choice C is incorrect because protease is targeted along with reverse transcriptase, not integrase. Choice D is incorrect as targeting viral glycoproteins is not a main strategy in anti-HIV therapy.
A blood culture from a patient with sepsis revealed Gram-positive cocci in clusters. The bacteria were catalase-positive and coagulase-negative. What is the most likely causative agent?
- A. Staphylococcus epidermidis
- B. Staphylococcus aureus
- C. Streptococcus pyogenes
- D. Enterococcus faecalis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus epidermidis. This is supported by the characteristics of Gram-positive cocci in clusters, catalase-positive, and coagulase-negative. Staphylococcus epidermidis fits all these criteria, as it is a common skin commensal that can cause infections in immunocompromised individuals. Staphylococcus aureus (choice B) is catalase-positive and coagulase-positive. Streptococcus pyogenes (choice C) is catalase-negative. Enterococcus faecalis (choice D) is catalase-negative and not typically seen in clusters. Therefore, based on the given information, Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most likely causative agent.
Infection caused by the genus Candida can be successfully treated with:
- A. Penicillins
- B. Cephalosporins of third generation
- C. Nystatin
- D. None of the above
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for why choice C (Nystatin) is the correct answer:
1. Nystatin is an antifungal medication specifically effective against Candida infections.
2. Candida is a type of fungus, not a bacteria targeted by penicillins (choice A) or cephalosporins (choice B).
3. Nystatin works by disrupting the fungal cell membrane, leading to its death.
4. Choice D (None of the above) is incorrect as Nystatin is a suitable treatment option for Candida infections.