Medical Microbiology Test Bank

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba histolytica. This protozoon is known to cause amoebic dysentery, presenting symptoms of weakness, intestinal pain, and indigestion. The presence of microbial cysts with four nuclei in fecal samples is characteristic of Entamoeba histolytica. These cysts are the infective form of the parasite and can cause severe invasive disease in the intestines. Incorrect choices: B: Entamoeba coli does not typically cause invasive disease or severe symptoms like those described in the question. C: Balantidium is a ciliated protozoan that causes balantidiasis, which presents differently from the symptoms described in the question. D: Trichomonad is a flagellated protozoan that typically infects the urogenital tract, not the intestine, and does not form cysts with four nuclei. In summary, the key clues in the question were the symptoms of weakness, intestinal pain,

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Polar placement of volutin granules. This feature is indicative of Corynebacterium diphtheria. Volutin granules are metachromatic granules found in the polar region of the bacterial cell, which is characteristic of this species. This feature helps differentiate it from other bacteria. Explanation: A: Fence-like position of the agent's cells is not a specific morphologic feature of Corynebacterium diphtheria. B: Spores that exceed cells in diameter is not a characteristic feature of Corynebacterium diphtheria. D: Presence of the capsule is not a distinguishing morphologic feature of Corynebacterium diphtheria. In summary, the polar placement of volutin granules is the most indicative feature for determining the type of agent as Corynebacterium diphtheria, making it the correct choice.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Tetanus. Tetanus is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which produces a neurotoxin leading to muscle stiffness, including trismus (restricted mouth opening). The patient's history of a stab wound increases the likelihood of tetanus infection due to the spores entering the body through the wound. Incorrect Choices: B: Brucellosis does not typically present with trismus and is more commonly associated with fever, joint pain, and fatigue. C: Whooping cough presents with severe coughing fits but does not cause trismus. D: Wound anaerobic infection may cause localized symptoms at the wound site but is less likely to cause trismus compared to tetanus.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C because transcription is the process in which messenger RNA transcripts are produced from DNA. During transcription, a specific segment of DNA is transcribed into mRNA by RNA polymerase. Choice A is incorrect because translation, not transcription, involves converting mRNA into protein. Choice B is incorrect as it describes DNA replication, not transcription. Choice D is incorrect because it refers to translation, where polypeptides are synthesized from mRNA. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer as it accurately describes the process of transcription.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Spirochete. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is a spirochete. Spirochetes are spiral-shaped bacteria that move by rotating like a corkscrew, which is characteristic of Borrelia burgdorferi. A: Spirillum - Spirillum bacteria are helical-shaped but are not the causative agent for Lyme disease. C: Vibrio - Vibrio bacteria are curved or comma-shaped and are not associated with Lyme disease. D: Diplococcus - Diplococcus bacteria are spherical-shaped and typically occur in pairs, not the causative agent for Lyme disease. Therefore, the correct answer is B because Borrelia burgdorferi is a spirochete bacterium that causes Lyme disease.