A 40 year old man noticed a reddening and an edema of skin in the area of his neck that later developed into a small abscess. The incised focus is dense, yellowish-green. The pus contains white granules. Histological examination revealed drusen of a fungus, plasmatic and xanthome cells, macrophages. What type of mycosis is the most probable?

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Microbiology A Systems Approach Test Bank Questions

Question 1 of 9

A 40 year old man noticed a reddening and an edema of skin in the area of his neck that later developed into a small abscess. The incised focus is dense, yellowish-green. The pus contains white granules. Histological examination revealed drusen of a fungus, plasmatic and xanthome cells, macrophages. What type of mycosis is the most probable?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Sporotrichosis. Sporotrichosis is caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenckii, which commonly presents as a subcutaneous infection. In the given case, the presence of a small abscess with yellowish-green pus containing white granules is indicative of sporotrichosis. The histological examination showing drusen of a fungus, plasmatic and xanthome cells, and macrophages further supports the diagnosis of sporotrichosis. Choice A: Actinomycosis is a bacterial infection caused by Actinomyces species, not a fungal infection. Choice B: Aspergillosis is caused by Aspergillus species and typically presents as a pulmonary infection, not a subcutaneous abscess as described in the case. Choice C: Candidosis is caused by Candida species and usually presents as mucocutaneous infections, not a subcutaneous abscess with the

Question 2 of 9

A sputum smear stained by Gram's method revealed Gram-positive cocci in clusters. The patient presented with an abscess. What is the causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium that commonly presents as cocci in clusters. It is a known causative agent of abscesses due to its ability to produce enzymes and toxins that contribute to tissue destruction. In this case, the presence of Gram-positive cocci in clusters aligns with the characteristic morphology of Staphylococcus aureus. Summary of incorrect choices: B: Streptococcus pyogenes is a Gram-positive bacterium that typically presents as cocci in chains, not clusters. It is more commonly associated with pharyngitis and skin infections rather than abscesses. C: Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive bacterium that typically presents as cocci in pairs or short chains, not clusters. It is more commonly associated with urinary tract infections and endocarditis. D: Micrococcus luteus is a Gram-positive bacterium that typically presents as t

Question 3 of 9

Infections of the CNS can be caused by:

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 CNS. Clostridium botulinum can lead to botulism, affecting the nervous system. Morbillivirus morbillorum can cause measles, which can lead to encephalitis. Clostridium tetani can cause tetanus, affecting the central nervous system. Therefore, all three choices can cause infections of the CNS. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect individually because each pathogen can cause CNS infections.

Question 4 of 9

Bacteria capable of growing at low temperatures are called:

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: psychrophiles. Psychrophiles are bacteria that can grow at low temperatures, typically below 20°C. This is because they have adapted to survive and thrive in cold environments. Mesophiles (A) grow best at moderate temperatures, thermophiles (B) thrive in high temperatures, and halophiles (D) prefer high salt concentrations. Psychrophiles are specifically adapted to cold temperatures, making them the correct choice in this scenario.

Question 5 of 9

A bacteriological laboratory has been investigating a sample of homemade dried fish that was the cause of severe food poisoning. Microscopy of the culture inoculated in Kitt-Tarozzi medium revealed microorganisms resembling a tennis racket. What diagnosis can be made?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Botulism. The tennis racket appearance seen under the microscope is characteristic of Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium responsible for botulism. This bacterium produces spores that resemble a tennis racket shape. Botulism is a type of food poisoning caused by the ingestion of the toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. Summary: B: Salmonellosis is caused by Salmonella bacteria, which do not exhibit a tennis racket appearance. C: Cholera is caused by Vibrio cholerae, which also does not resemble a tennis racket under the microscope. D: Dysentery is typically caused by bacteria such as Shigella or Entamoeba histolytica, neither of which exhibit the characteristic tennis racket appearance.

Question 6 of 9

Which type of bacteria is responsible for causing tuberculosis?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacteria responsible for causing tuberculosis. This bacterium has unique cell wall components that make it resistant to the body's immune defenses, allowing it to survive and multiply within the host. Streptococcus pyogenes (Choice A), Escherichia coli (Choice C), and Bacillus anthracis (Choice D) are not associated with tuberculosis. Streptococcus pyogenes is known for causing strep throat and skin infections, Escherichia coli is commonly involved in gastrointestinal infections, and Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax.

Question 7 of 9

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of Gram-positive bacteria?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Thick peptidoglycan layer. Gram-positive bacteria have a thick peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall, which retains the crystal violet stain during Gram staining. This thick layer is a key characteristic feature that helps differentiate Gram-positive bacteria from Gram-negative bacteria. Rationale: 1. Gram-positive bacteria retain the crystal violet stain due to their thick peptidoglycan layer. 2. This thick layer provides structural support and protection to the cell. 3. Gram-positive bacteria lack an outer membrane, which is a feature of Gram-negative bacteria (Choice A). 4. Thin peptidoglycan layer is a characteristic of Gram-negative bacteria, not Gram-positive (Choice B). 5. Presence of LPS (lipopolysaccharide) is a feature of Gram-negative bacteria, not Gram-positive (Choice D). In summary, the presence of a thick peptidoglycan layer is a characteristic feature of Gram-positive

Question 8 of 9

The antigen receptors on the surface of B-lymphocytes are made by proteins:

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: TRUE. B-lymphocyte antigen receptors are made by proteins called immunoglobulins. These proteins are essential for recognizing and binding to specific antigens. They play a crucial role in the immune response. Choice B is incorrect because B-lymphocyte antigen receptors are indeed made by proteins. Choice C is incorrect as well because in this case, the correct answer is that the receptors are made by proteins. Choice D is also incorrect as the receptors are made by proteins.

Question 9 of 9

Which of the following bacteria is responsible for causing the disease known as leprosy?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Mycobacterium leprae is the correct answer because it is the bacterium responsible for causing leprosy. 2. Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea, not leprosy. 3. Escherichia coli is associated with gastrointestinal infections, not leprosy. 4. Staphylococcus aureus causes various skin infections, but not leprosy. In summary, Mycobacterium leprae is the correct choice because it is the specific bacterium known to cause leprosy, while the other options are associated with different diseases.

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