Nokea
The organism often called “flesh-eating bacteria†is:
- A. Staphylococcus aureus
- B. Staphylococcus epidermidis
- C. Streptococcus pyogenes
- D. Propionibacterium acnes
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Streptococcus pyogenes. This bacterium is commonly known as "flesh-eating bacteria" due to its ability to cause severe tissue destruction and necrotizing fasciitis. Streptococcus pyogenes produces toxins that break down skin and muscle tissues. Staphylococcus aureus (A) can cause skin infections but is not typically associated with necrotizing fasciitis. Staphylococcus epidermidis (B) is a normal skin flora and rarely causes infections. Propionibacterium acnes (D) is associated with acne and not known for causing tissue destruction. Therefore, the correct choice is Streptococcus pyogenes due to its unique ability to cause severe tissue damage and necrotizing fasciitis.
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After the transfer of the F plasmid from the donor to the recipient cell..
- A. It is not possible to predict the outcome
- B. The donor cells become F
- C. The two cells become F
- D. The two cells become F+
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: After the transfer of the F plasmid from the donor to the recipient cell, the correct answer is D. This is because the F plasmid carries genes for conjugation, allowing the recipient cell to become F+ (containing the F plasmid). The donor cell remains F. Choice A is incorrect as the outcome can be predicted based on the transfer of the F plasmid. Choice B is incorrect because the donor cell does not become F after transferring the F plasmid. Choice C is incorrect as only the recipient cell becomes F+, not both cells.
Examination of a smear from a chancre revealed mobile, long, spiral microorganisms with 8-12 regular coils. What is the causative agent?
- A. Treponema
- B. Leptospira
- C. Borrelia
- D. Vibrios
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Treponema. The characteristics described match Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis. Treponema has long, spiral shape with 8-12 regular coils. Leptospira (B) is a spirochete but has fewer coils and causes leptospirosis. Borrelia (C) is another spirochete but typically has irregular coils and causes Lyme disease. Vibrios (D) are curved rods and not spirochetes.
Elementary and reticular bodies are morphological?
- A. Mycoplasma genitalium
- B. Chlamydia trachomatis
- C. Rickettsia prowazekii
- D. None of the above
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Chlamydia trachomatis. Elementary bodies (EBs) and reticular bodies (RBs) are two distinct forms of Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacterium causing various infections. EBs are the infectious form, while RBs are the replicative form within host cells. Mycoplasma genitalium (choice A) lacks a cell wall and does not have these specific morphological forms. Rickettsia prowazekii (choice C) is an obligate intracellular bacterium but does not exhibit the elementary and reticular body forms characteristic of Chlamydia trachomatis. Therefore, the correct answer is B, as only Chlamydia trachomatis exhibits the elementary and reticular bodies.
Microscopic examination of a smear from a chancre revealed spiral microorganisms. The bacteria were thin and mobile with 8-12 regular coils. What is the likely diagnosis?
- A. Syphilis
- B. Leptospirosis
- C. Lyme disease
- D. Relapsing fever
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct diagnosis is A: Syphilis. The spiral microorganisms described are characteristic of Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis. The thin and mobile bacteria with 8-12 regular coils match the morphology of Treponema pallidum. Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira interrogans, which are thicker and have hook-like ends, different from the described bacteria. Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, which has a different appearance than the thin, coiled bacteria in the smear. Relapsing fever is caused by Borrelia recurrentis, which typically have irregular coils, unlike the regular coils seen in the smear.
Erysipelas is a bacterial infection characterised by well-defined areas of bright-red, inflamed and rough or leathery skin. Which one is the causative agent:
- A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- B. Staphylococcus aureus
- C. Streptococcus pyogenes
- D. Candida albicans
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale for Choice C (Streptococcus pyogenes) being the correct answer:
1. Erysipelas is a skin infection characterized by well-defined red, inflamed skin areas.
2. Streptococcus pyogenes is a common causative agent of erysipelas.
3. This bacterium produces enzymes that break down skin proteins, leading to the characteristic symptoms of erysipelas.
4. Streptococcus pyogenes is known for causing skin infections, including erysipelas.
Summary of why the other choices are incorrect:
A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Typically causes opportunistic infections, but not commonly associated with erysipelas.
B. Staphylococcus aureus: Can cause skin infections, but not typically associated with erysipelas.
D. Candida albicans: Fungal infection, not a bacterium, and not known to cause erysipelas.