microbiology basic and clinical principles test bank

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Yersinia pestis. Yersinia pestis is the bacterium responsible for causing the plague, specifically the bubonic plague. It is transmitted through fleas and rodents. Escherichia coli (A) is a common gut bacterium, Clostridium difficile (C) causes antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and Staphylococcus aureus (D) is associated with skin infections, but they are not responsible for causing the plague.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Gram-positive cocci in chains suggest Streptococcus species. Step 2: Catalase-negative eliminates Staphylococcus aureus. Step 3: Beta-hemolytic on blood agar matches Streptococcus pyogenes. Step 4: Streptococcus pyogenes is a common cause of sore throat (pharyngitis). Summary: A: Streptococcus pyogenes - Correct due to Gram-positive cocci in chains, catalase-negative, beta-hemolytic, and common cause of sore throat. B: Staphylococcus aureus - Incorrect due to catalase-positive. C: Streptococcus pneumoniae - Incorrect due to alpha-hemolytic. D: Enterococcus faecalis - Incorrect due to not being beta-hemolytic.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: destruction of the local blood supply. In osteomyelitis, the infection occurs in the bone, which has a relatively poor blood supply compared to soft tissues. This limited blood flow makes it challenging for antibiotics to reach the infection site effectively, hindering their ability to combat the infection. Destruction of the local blood supply restricts the delivery of antibiotics and immune cells to the infected bone, leading to poor treatment outcomes. Summary: - Option A is correct because the limited blood supply in bones hinders antibiotic delivery. - Option B is incorrect as denaturing by normal flora does not impact antibiotic reach to the infection site. - Option C is incorrect as inflammation and edema, while present, do not primarily hinder antibiotic delivery. - Option D is incorrect as excessive pus production does not directly impede antibiotic access to the infection site.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomonas vaginalis is a protozoan parasite that causes trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection characterized by inflammation of urogenital tracts. The description of big unicellular pyriform organisms with a sharp spike on the back end of their bodies, big nucleus, and undulating membrane matches the morphology of Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomonas hominis and Trichomonas buccalis are different species that do not cause urogenital infections. Trypanosoma gambiense is a protozoan parasite causing African trypanosomiasis and does not match the described morphology or symptoms.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Vibrio cholerae. Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae, a bacterium that infects the small intestine, leading to severe diarrhea and dehydration. This bacterium produces a toxin that causes the symptoms of cholera. A: Shigella dysenteriae causes dysentery, not cholera. C: Salmonella enterica causes food poisoning, not cholera. D: Escherichia coli can cause food poisoning but not cholera.