A 5-year-old child presents with a sore throat and a grayish pseudomembrane in the throat. Microscopic examination of a smear revealed dark blue-staining rods with polar granules. What is the causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This bacterium causes diphtheria, characterized by a grayish pseudomembrane in the throat. The dark blue-staining rods with polar granules seen in microscopic examination are known as metachromatic granules, which are specific to Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Streptococcus pyogenes (choice B) causes strep throat but does not produce pseudomembranes. Haemophilus influenzae (choice C) can cause respiratory infections but does not typically present with a pseudomembrane. Neisseria gonorrhoeae (choice D) is a sexually transmitted bacterium and is not associated with the symptoms described.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, "All of the above." E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus are all known to cause urinary tract infections. E. coli is the most common causative agent due to its presence in the gut. P. aeruginosa and S. aureus can also infect the urinary tract, although less frequently. Therefore, all three bacteria are potential pathogens for urinary tract infections.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: TRUE. Poxviruses are indeed the largest viruses known, ranging from 200-450 nm in size, which is close to the resolution limit of a light microscope. This makes them almost visible under a light microscope. Explanation: 1. Poxviruses have complex structures and are among the largest viruses. 2. Light microscopes have a resolution limit of around 200 nm. 3. Poxviruses fall within the size range that is close to the resolution limit of a light microscope. 4. Therefore, poxviruses are almost visible under a light microscope. Summary: Choice B is incorrect because poxviruses are indeed large enough to be almost visible under a light microscope. Choice C is incorrect as it implies uncertainty, but poxviruses are consistently close to the resolution limit of a light microscope. Choice D is incorrect as the size of poxviruses being almost visible under a light microscope is a factual statement, not dependent

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Chingamin. Chingamin is a type of antimalarial drug that is commonly used for individual prevention of malaria. It works by targeting the malaria parasite in the body, preventing its growth and spread. Rifampicin (B), Ampicillin (C), and Gentamicin (D) are not effective for preventing malaria as they are antibiotics that target bacterial infections, not parasitic infections like malaria. Therefore, Chingamin is the most appropriate choice for individual prevention of malaria due to its specific antimalarial properties.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Plague. The presence of ovoid Gram-negative bipolar-stained bacilli with a delicate capsule in the sputum is characteristic of Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague. Plague presents with symptoms like fever, chills, and cough. Plague is a zoonotic disease usually transmitted through fleas from rodents. The other choices (B: Tuberculosis, C: Leptospirosis, D: Brucellosis) can be ruled out based on the specific description of the bacteria in the sputum. Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is not Gram-negative. Leptospirosis is caused by Leptospira, which are spirochetes and not ovoid bacilli. Brucellosis is caused by Brucella species, which are small, coccobacilli and not ovoid bacilli.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacterium appears as purple-stained diplococci with pointed ends on Gram staining. S. pneumoniae is a common cause of pneumonia. It is encapsulated and has a lancet-shaped appearance, which is characteristic of the pointed ends seen in the staining. Staphylococcus aureus (B) typically appears as clusters of gram-positive cocci, not diplococci. Klebsiella pneumoniae (C) is a gram-negative rod, not a diplococci. Neisseria meningitidis (D) is a gram-negative diplococci but typically lacks the pointed ends seen in the staining of S. pneumoniae.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: psittacosis. Psittacosis is an infection caused by Chlamydia psittaci that primarily affects the lower respiratory tract, leading to pneumonia-like symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes atypical pneumonia, not pharyngitis (Choice A). Chronic atrophic rhinitis (Choice C) and rhinoscleroma (Choice D) both affect the upper respiratory tract, not the lower respiratory tract. Psittacosis specifically targets the lower respiratory tract, making it the most appropriate answer.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B (Urethra). Resident microflora are typically found in various parts of the body where they establish a stable population without causing harm. The urethra is one of the locations where resident microflora are commonly present, helping to maintain a healthy microbial balance and prevent pathogenic bacteria from colonizing the area. In contrast, choices A, C, and D are not typical locations for resident microflora. Blood is normally sterile, the lungs have a different microbial environment due to their exposure to the external environment, and the cerebro-spinal fluid is also typically sterile to prevent infections in the central nervous system.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Vibrio cholerae. 1. Vibrio cholerae is a Gram-negative, comma-shaped bacterium known to cause cholera. 2. Shigella dysenteriae causes dysentery, not cholera. 3. Salmonella typhi causes typhoid fever, not cholera. 4. Campylobacter jejuni causes gastroenteritis, not cholera. Therefore, based on the symptoms presented and the characteristics of the bacterium, Vibrio cholerae is the most likely microorganism.