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Which bacteria produce the diphtheria toxin?
- A. Corynebacterium diphtheriae
- B. Bacillus anthracis
- C. Clostridium tetani
- D. Listeria monocytogenes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This bacterium produces the diphtheria toxin, which is responsible for causing diphtheria. The other choices, B, C, and D, are incorrect because Bacillus anthracis produces anthrax toxins, Clostridium tetani produces tetanus toxin, and Listeria monocytogenes does not produce the diphtheria toxin. Understanding the specific bacteria-toxin associations is crucial in correctly identifying the pathogen responsible for a particular disease.
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On the 5th day after a surgery for colon injury a patient complains of bursting pain in the postoperative wound, weakness, drowsiness, headache, fever up to 40oC. Objectively: the skin around the wound is swollen, there is gas crepitation. The wound discharges are scarce foul-smelling, of dark-gray color. What is the most likely diagnosis?
- A. Anaerobic clostridial wound infection
- B. Abscess
- C. Postoperative wound infection
- D. Erysipelas
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Anaerobic clostridial wound infection. The symptoms and signs described (bursting pain, weakness, drowsiness, fever, swollen skin, gas crepitation, foul-smelling dark-gray discharge) are classic for gas gangrene, caused by Clostridium perfringens. Gas gangrene is an anaerobic infection that thrives in devitalized tissue, such as postoperative wounds. The gas crepitation is due to gas production by the bacteria. Abscess (B) typically presents with localized swelling and fluctuance, not gas crepitation. Postoperative wound infection (C) may present with redness, warmth, and increased wound discharge but not the specific features mentioned. Erysipelas (D) is a superficial bacterial skin infection, typically caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, presenting with well-defined raised borders and redness.
A patient has a necrotizing phlegmon of his lower extremity. A doctor suspects a gas gangrene. Microscopy reveals grampositive bacilli. In order to confirm the diagnosis further bacteriological tests should include inoculation of the material into the following nutrient medium:
- A. Kitt-Tarozzi medium
- B. Endo agar
- C. Meat-peptone agar
- D. Levine agar
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Kitt-Tarozzi medium. This medium is specifically designed to culture Clostridium species, the causative agents of gas gangrene. Clostridium species are gram-positive bacilli that produce gas during their metabolism. Inoculating the material into Kitt-Tarozzi medium allows for the selective growth of Clostridium species, aiding in the confirmation of a gas gangrene diagnosis.
Other choices are incorrect:
B: Endo agar is used for the isolation of gram-negative enteric bacteria.
C: Meat-peptone agar is a general-purpose medium and not specific for Clostridium species.
D: Levine agar is used for the isolation of Salmonella and Shigella species, not Clostridium.
A patient has a suspected pneumonia. In his sputum there were revealed gram-positive diplococci, prolonged with the slightly pointed opposite ends. What microorganisms are revealed in the sputum?
- A. Staphylococcus aureus
- B. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- C. Neisseria meningitidis
- D. Streptococcus pneumonia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Rationale: The description matches that of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which appears as gram-positive diplococci with slightly pointed opposite ends. Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Neisseria meningitidis do not match the specific characteristics described in the question. Staphylococcus aureus appears in grape-like clusters, while Neisseria species are typically seen as diplococci but lack the pointed shape described. Therefore, the correct answer is A: Staphylococcus aureus.
Production of auto-antibodies may be due to:
- A. Emergence of mutant clones of B cells
- B. Production of antibodies against hidden tissues
- C. Genetic factors
- D. All of these
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Production of auto-antibodies can be due to various factors. Mutant B cell clones can lead to the production of self-reactive antibodies. Antibodies against hidden tissues can also trigger autoimmune responses. Genetic factors play a crucial role in predisposing individuals to autoimmunity. Therefore, the correct answer is D, as all these factors can contribute to the production of auto-antibodies. Choice A is incorrect as it only addresses one possible cause. Choice B is incorrect as it focuses solely on antibodies against hidden tissues. Choice C is incorrect as it overlooks the other potential reasons for auto-antibody production.
Which of the following is a primary function of bacterial capsules?
- A. Energy production
- B. Protection from desiccation
- C. Adhesion and immune evasion
- D. DNA replication
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Adhesion and immune evasion. Bacterial capsules serve as a protective layer that aids in adhesion to surfaces and host cells, allowing bacteria to colonize and evade the immune system. This function is crucial for bacterial survival and pathogenicity. Choices A and D are incorrect because energy production and DNA replication are not primary functions of bacterial capsules. Choice B is incorrect because while bacterial capsules do provide some protection from desiccation, their primary function lies in adhesion and immune evasion.