medical microbiology test bank

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.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because antigenic shift is a major change in the influenza virus where genetic material from different influenza viruses mix to create a new subtype. This is a large-scale change that results in a novel virus with a different antigenic composition. Option A and B are incorrect because antigenic shift does involve the exchange of genetic information between animal and human influenza A viruses, and it does occur when animal or avian influenza viruses of type A directly pass into the human population. Option C is incorrect because antigenic shift is not related to the recirculation of a previously circulating influenza strain.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Chlamydia trachomatis. Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis serovars L1, L2, and L3. These serovars infect the lymphatic system leading to swelling and inflammation. Choice A, Chlamydia pneumoniae, is associated with respiratory infections, not LGV. Choice B, Chlamydia psittaci, causes psittacosis in birds and humans. Choice C, Mycoplasma genitalium, is a separate STI but is not the causative agent for LGV. The key to the correct answer is understanding the specific pathogen responsible for LGV based on its clinical presentation and mode of transmission.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because all three choices, Clostridium botulinum, Morbillivirus morbillorum, and Clostridium tetani, can cause infections of the central nervous system (CNS). Clostridium botulinum can lead to botulism, which affects the nervous system. Morbillivirus morbillorum can cause measles, which can lead to viral encephalitis. Clostridium tetani can cause tetanus, which affects the CNS by producing neurotoxins. Therefore, all three choices are pathogens that can cause infections of the CNS.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Protoplast. Lipopolysaccharides of Gram-negative bacteria consist of three main components: O-specific polysaccharide chain, R-specific polysaccharide chain, and Lipid A. Protoplast is not a component of lipopolysaccharides. O-specific polysaccharide chain is responsible for serotype specificity, R-specific polysaccharide chain varies among strains, and Lipid A is the endotoxin component. Protoplast refers to a bacterial cell devoid of a cell wall, which is not a component of lipopolysaccharides.