medical microbiology test bank

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.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: focal. When a pathogen spreads from the original site to other tissues or organs, it is considered a focal infection. This term specifically refers to an infection that is localized to a specific area but can spread to other parts of the body. A: Local infection refers to an infection that is confined to a specific area without spreading to other tissues or organs. C: Natural is not a term commonly used to describe the spread of pathogens within the body. D: Acute refers to the rapid onset of a disease but does not specifically address the spread of pathogens from one site to another. In summary, the term "focal" best describes the scenario provided in the question, making it the correct answer.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: tinea pedis. Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that affects the feet, specifically the skin between the toes and on the soles. "Tinea pedis" is the medical term for athlete's foot, with "tinea" meaning a fungal infection and "pedis" referring to the foot. A: tinea capitis refers to a fungal infection of the scalp, not the feet. B: tinea corporis refers to a fungal infection of the body, not specifically the feet. C: tinea versicolor refers to a fungal infection that causes discoloration of the skin, not typically on the feet. In summary, the other choices are incorrect because they refer to fungal infections affecting different parts of the body, whereas "tinea pedis" specifically refers to athlete's foot.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium is known to cause gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection. Neisseria gonorrhoeae specifically infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract in both men and women. It is transmitted through sexual contact. Explanation of other choices: A: Chlamydia trachomatis is a bacterium that causes chlamydia, not gonorrhea. C: Mycoplasma genitalium is associated with non-gonococcal urethritis, not gonorrhea. D: Treponema pallidum is the bacterium that causes syphilis, not gonorrhea. Therefore, Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the correct answer based on its direct association with causing gonorrhea.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium produces the botulinum toxin, which causes botulism by blocking nerve functions. Clostridium tetani causes tetanus, not botulism. Staphylococcus aureus produces toxins that cause food poisoning, not botulism. Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, not botulism. Therefore, the correct choice is Clostridium botulinum because it is the specific bacterium responsible for producing the toxin that leads to botulism.