Treponema pallidum and Borrelia burgdorferi belong to the group of:
- A. gram-negative aerobic rods and cocci
- B. anaerobic gram-negative rods
- C. anaerobic gram-negative cocci
- D. spirochetes
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. Treponema pallidum and Borrelia burgdorferi are both spirochetes.
2. Spirochetes are characterized by their spiral shape and unique motility.
3. Both organisms exhibit corkscrew-like movement due to axial filaments.
4. Other choices are incorrect as Treponema and Borrelia are not gram-negative rods, cocci, or anaerobic cocci.
Summary:
The correct answer is D because Treponema pallidum and Borrelia burgdorferi are spirochetes, characterized by their spiral shape and motility. Other choices are incorrect as they do not accurately describe the characteristics of these organisms.
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The most common bacterial species in hospital environment is:
- A. Borrelia burgdorferi
- B. Staphylococcus aureus
- C. Bacillus cereus
- D. Staphylococcus haemolyticus
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Staphylococcus aureus. This bacterium is commonly found in hospital environments due to its ability to colonize human skin and mucous membranes. It is a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. Borrelia burgdorferi is mainly associated with Lyme disease transmitted by ticks, not commonly found in hospitals. Bacillus cereus is a foodborne pathogen, not typically prevalent in hospital settings. Staphylococcus haemolyticus is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus species, less pathogenic and less common in hospitals compared to Staphylococcus aureus.
The Wasserman reaction is markedly positive (++++) in a 30-year-old man. What infectious disease is diagnosed using the Wasserman reaction?
- A. Brucellosis
- B. Syphilis
- C. Poliomyelitis
- D. Influenza
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Syphilis. The Wasserman reaction is a test for syphilis, specifically for detecting antibodies against the bacterium Treponema pallidum. In a 30-year-old man with a markedly positive Wasserman reaction, it indicates an active syphilis infection. Brucellosis (Choice A) is not diagnosed using the Wasserman reaction. Poliomyelitis (Choice C) is a viral infection affecting the spinal cord, not diagnosed using the Wasserman reaction. Influenza (Choice D) is a respiratory viral infection, not associated with the Wasserman reaction.
Which of the following bacteria produce exotoxins that cause severe gastrointestinal illness?
- A. Clostridium botulinum
- B. Vibrio cholerae
- C. Escherichia coli
- D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D (All of the above) because all three bacteria listed produce exotoxins that cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Clostridium botulinum produces botulinum toxin causing botulism. Vibrio cholerae produces cholera toxin leading to cholera. Escherichia coli can produce various exotoxins causing different types of severe gastrointestinal illnesses like E. coli O157:H7 causing bloody diarrhea. Therefore, all choices A, B, and C are correct in this case as they all produce exotoxins causing severe gastrointestinal illness.
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are caused by
- A. flavoviruses.
- B. virusoids.
- C. prions.
- D. orthomyxoviruses.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: prions. Prions are misfolded proteins that can cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Prions are not viruses like flavoviruses (A) or orthomyxoviruses (D). Virusoids (B) are small, circular, single-stranded RNA molecules that require a helper virus to replicate and are not associated with transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Therefore, the correct answer is C as prions are the only choice that correctly links to the etiology of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
What is the function of bacterial fimbriae?
- A. Adhesion to surfaces
- B. DNA replication
- C. Protein synthesis
- D. Flagella movement
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Adhesion to surfaces. Bacterial fimbriae are hair-like appendages that help bacteria attach to surfaces, such as host cells or medical devices. This adhesion is crucial for colonization and infection. DNA replication (B) occurs in the cell's nucleus, not on the surface. Protein synthesis (C) happens inside the cell, not on the fimbriae. Flagella movement (D) is the function of flagella, not fimbriae.