Nokea
What is the function of bacterial pili?
- A. Provide motility
- B. Aid in adhesion
- C. Form spores
- D. Synthesize proteins
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The function of bacterial pili is to aid in adhesion. Pili are hair-like structures on the bacterial surface that help the bacteria attach to surfaces or other cells. This adhesion is crucial for colonization and infection. Pili do not provide motility, as that is typically done by flagella. Bacteria form spores for survival under harsh conditions, and protein synthesis is carried out by ribosomes, not pili. Thus, the correct answer is B, aiding in adhesion.
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The causative agent of plague is:
- A. Bordetella pertussis
- B. Yersinia pestis
- C. Rickettsia prowazekii
- D. Treponema pallidum
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Yersinia pestis. Y. pestis is the causative agent of plague, a serious infectious disease transmitted through fleas. It causes bubonic, pneumonic, and septicemic plague. Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough, Rickettsia prowazekii causes epidemic typhus, and Treponema pallidum causes syphilis. Y. pestis is the correct answer because it is specifically associated with plague, making the other options incorrect.
When a smear is stained by Burri-Gins method a mucous structure that is tightly bound with the cellular wall of bacteria and has well-defined outer boundaries can be detected. This element of a bacteria cell is called:
- A. Capsule
- B. Spore
- C. Filaments
- D. Ribosomes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Capsule. A capsule is a mucous structure tightly bound to the bacterial cell wall with distinct outer boundaries. This structure helps bacteria evade the host immune system, resist desiccation, and adhere to surfaces. In contrast, spores are resistant structures formed by certain bacteria for survival, filaments are long chains of bacterial cells, and ribosomes are cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis. Therefore, based on the characteristics described in the question, the most appropriate choice is A: Capsule.
A patient with a productive cough and fever had a sputum smear revealing Gram-positive cocci in clusters. What is the most likely causative agent?
- A. Staphylococcus aureus
- B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
- C. Neisseria meningitidis
- D. Klebsiella pneumoniae
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive cocci bacterium that forms clusters and commonly causes pneumonia with a productive cough and fever. It is frequently found in sputum smears in such cases. Streptococcus pneumoniae (B) is another common cause of pneumonia but typically appears in pairs or chains, not clusters. Neisseria meningitidis (C) is a Gram-negative diplococcus that causes meningitis, not pneumonia. Klebsiella pneumoniae (D) is a Gram-negative bacterium that can cause pneumonia but appears as Gram-negative rods, not Gram-positive cocci in clusters.
A patient with severe pneumonia had a sputum culture revealing Gram-negative rods that are non-lactose fermenters. What is the most likely causative agent?
- A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- B. Escherichia coli
- C. Klebsiella pneumoniae
- D. Enterobacter cloacae
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This is because Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common Gram-negative rod that is a non-lactose fermenter and a common cause of severe pneumonia, especially in immunocompromised individuals. It is also known for its resistance to many antibiotics, making it difficult to treat.
Summary of other choices:
B: Escherichia coli is a lactose fermenter and is not commonly associated with severe pneumonia.
C: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a lactose fermenter and is more commonly associated with pneumonia in alcoholics or debilitated patients.
D: Enterobacter cloacae is a lactose fermenter and is not a common cause of severe pneumonia.
After 4 months of treatment for tuberculosis the patient began complaining of toes and fingers numbness, sensation of creeps. He was diagnosed with polyneuritis. What antituberculous drug might have caused these complications?
- A. Isoniazid
- B. Rifampicin
- C. Ciprofloxacin
- D. Sodium salt of benzylpenicillin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Isoniazid. Isoniazid is known to cause peripheral neuropathy as a side effect, especially with prolonged use. It can lead to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and weakness in the toes and fingers due to its neurotoxic effects. Rifampicin (B) is less likely to cause neuropathy. Ciprofloxacin (C) is not typically associated with neuropathy. Sodium salt of benzylpenicillin (D) is an antibiotic but is not known to cause polyneuritis.