Which of the following is a folate antagonist?
- A. Methyl Penicillin
- B. Trimethoprim
- C. Vancomycin
- D. Gentamicin
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Trimethoprim. Trimethoprim is a folate antagonist that inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, an enzyme essential for folate metabolism in bacteria. This disrupts bacterial DNA synthesis, leading to bacteriostatic effects. Methyl Penicillin (A) is a beta-lactam antibiotic that interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis. Vancomycin (C) inhibits cell wall synthesis by binding to D-Ala-D-Ala terminus of cell wall precursors. Gentamicin (D) inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S subunit of the bacterial ribosome.
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Which of the following bacteria causes the disease diphtheria?
- A. Bordetella pertussis
- B. Corynebacterium diphtheriae
- C. Streptococcus pyogenes
- D. Neisseria meningitidis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This bacterium produces a toxin that causes diphtheria by inhibiting protein synthesis, leading to the formation of a pseudomembrane in the throat. Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough, Streptococcus pyogenes causes strep throat, and Neisseria meningitidis causes meningitis. Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the only bacterium among the choices known to cause diphtheria due to its specific toxin production.
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 with a deep tissue infection had a wound culture revealing 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. The presence of Gram-positive cocci in clusters that are catalase-positive and coagulase-negative points towards coagulase-negative staphylococci like Staphylococcus epidermidis. Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive and coagulase-positive. Streptococcus pyogenes is catalase-negative. Enterococcus faecalis is catalase-negative and not typically seen in clusters. Therefore, the most likely causative agent in this scenario is Staphylococcus epidermidis.
A patient with a sore throat had a throat smear stained by Neisser's method. Microscopy revealed rods with polar dark blue granules. What microorganism is likely responsible?
- A. Corynebacterium diphtheriae
- B. Bacillus anthracis
- C. Clostridium tetani
- D. Escherichia coli
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The presence of rods with polar dark blue granules stained by Neisser's method indicates metachromatic granules consistent with Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The characteristic staining pattern is due to the presence of polar granules in the bacterial cells, a feature specific to Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Bacillus anthracis, Clostridium tetani, and Escherichia coli do not exhibit this staining pattern or morphology typical of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, making them incorrect choices.
One of the basic principles of chemotherapy is:
- A. Selective toxicity
- B. Accumulation in the macroorganism
- C. Causing allergies to the macroorganism
- D. None of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Selective toxicity. Chemotherapy aims to target cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy cells, known as selective toxicity. This principle is crucial to effectively treat cancer without causing excessive damage to the patient's body. Accumulation in the macroorganism (B) and causing allergies (C) are not fundamental principles of chemotherapy and can lead to harmful side effects. Therefore, the correct answer is A as it aligns with the core objective of chemotherapy.