Microbiology Test Bank

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Candida fungi. Candida fungi are known to cause oral thrush, characterized by whitish spots on the oral mucosa. The presence of gram-positive oval budding cells in the smear preparations is indicative of Candida species. Staphylococci (choice B) are gram-positive cocci, not oval budding cells. Sarcinae (choice C) are gram-positive bacteria that form cuboidal packets, not oval budding cells. Actinomycetes (choice D) are filamentous gram-positive bacteria, not oval budding cells like Candida fungi.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: A is incorrect because whooping cough resurgence is mainly due to decreased vaccine immunity, not changing antigenicity. B is correct as P. aeruginosa can indeed cause infections with blue-green pus due to its pigment production. C is correct as H. influenzae type b capsule is a virulence factor contributing to invasive disease. D is correct as Legionella infection is acquired via inhalation of contaminated water aerosols. Therefore, A is incorrect as the rise in whooping cough is not due to changing antigenicity but vaccine immunity decline.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: acidic pH. The reproductive tract's acidic pH serves as a defense mechanism by creating an environment hostile to many pathogens, preventing microbial infection. The acidic pH helps to inhibit the growth and survival of harmful microorganisms. A: Alkaline pH would actually be more favorable for microbial growth as most pathogens thrive in neutral to alkaline pH environments. C: High sugar concentration can actually promote microbial growth as many pathogens feed on sugars. D: High body temperature may help in some cases, but it is not as effective as an acidic pH in preventing microbial infection in the reproductive tract.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: rabbit fever. Tularemia is commonly known as rabbit fever due to the fact that it is often contracted through handling infected rabbits or other rodents. This zoonotic disease is caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Scarlet fever (A) is a streptococcal infection characterized by a rash, not related to tularemia. Strep throat (B) is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus bacteria and is not associated with tularemia. Cat scratch fever (C) is caused by Bartonella henselae and typically transmitted through cat scratches or bites, not related to tularemia.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba histolytica. This is because Entamoeba histolytica is known to cause amebic dysentery, leading to chronic diarrhea. The presence of cysts with four nuclei in the stool sample is characteristic of Entamoeba histolytica. Giardia lamblia (choice B) is known to cause diarrhea but does not present with cysts containing four nuclei. Balantidium coli (choice C) is a ciliated protozoan that can cause diarrhea, but it does not have cysts with four nuclei. Trichomonas hominis (choice D) is a non-pathogenic protozoan commonly found in the human colon and is not associated with causing chronic diarrhea or cysts with four nuclei.