A 42-year-old woman has foamy purulent vaginal discharges. Microscopy revealed flagellated protozoa with an undulating membrane and pear-shaped structure. What organism was found?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Trichomonas vaginalis. Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted protozoan parasite that causes trichomoniasis, characterized by foamy purulent vaginal discharges. Microscopy of vaginal discharge showing flagellated protozoa with an undulating membrane and pear-shaped structure is indicative of Trichomonas vaginalis. Trypanosoma gambiense causes African sleeping sickness and is transmitted by tsetse flies. Leishmania donovani causes visceral leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies. Lamblia intestinalis causes giardiasis and is characterized by diarrhea and flatulence.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because viral multiplication in cell culture can be detected by observing a specific cytopathic effect (A) caused by viral infection in cells and by using an immunofluorescence detection method (B) to visualize viral antigens within the cells. Choice C, the characteristic type of viral colonies, is incorrect as viral multiplication is not typically detected by observing viral colonies in cell culture. Option D is the correct choice as both A and B methods are commonly used to detect viral multiplication in cell culture.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. The presence of a nucleus with a nuclear membrane indicates eukaryotic cells. 2. Eukaryotes have genetic material in chromosomes made of DNA and proteins. 3. Mitotic division is characteristic of eukaryotic cells. 4. Therefore, the organisms described are eukaryotes. Summary: - Bacteriophages (B) are viruses that infect bacteria. - Prokaryotes (C) lack a nucleus and their genetic material is not organized into chromosomes. - Viruses (D) are not considered living organisms and do not have a nucleus or chromosomes.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Treponema. The characteristics described match Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis. Treponema has long, spiral shape with 8-12 regular coils. Leptospira (B) is a spirochete but has fewer coils and causes leptospirosis. Borrelia (C) is another spirochete but typically has irregular coils and causes Lyme disease. Vibrios (D) are curved rods and not spirochetes.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, as Gram-negative bacteria have a cell wall containing lipopolysaccharides. This outer membrane structure is unique to Gram-negative bacteria and plays a critical role in pathogenicity and immune response. Teichoic acid (choice A) is found in Gram-positive bacteria. The cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria is thinner than that of Gram-positive bacteria (choice B). The cell wall of Gram-negative bacteria is not composed entirely of peptidoglycan (choice D), as it also contains other components like lipopolysaccharides.