Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Step 1: The description of microorganisms resembling tennis racket indicates Corynebacterium diphtheriae, the causative agent of diphtheria. Step 2: Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that can cause severe respiratory and systemic symptoms. Step 3: Botulism is caused by Clostridium botulinum, not tennis racket-shaped microorganisms. Step 4: Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella typhi, which does not resemble tennis rackets. Step 5: Salmonellosis is caused by various Salmonella species, which also do not have the described tennis racket appearance.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pyogenes. Rationale: 1. Gram-positive cocci in chains: S. pyogenes is a Gram-positive cocci in chains. 2. Catalase-negative: S. pyogenes is catalase-negative. 3. Beta-hemolytic: S. pyogenes exhibits beta-hemolysis. Summary of other choices: B: Streptococcus pneumoniae is alpha-hemolytic and optochin-sensitive. C: Enterococcus faecalis is catalase-negative, but not typically beta-hemolytic. D: Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive and coagulase-positive.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: infants. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is most common in infants because their immune systems are not fully developed, making them more susceptible to Staphylococcus aureus infections. This bacteria produces exotoxins that cause the skin to blister and peel, characteristic of the syndrome. Adolescents, young adults, and the elderly have more mature immune systems, making them less vulnerable to this specific infection. Therefore, infants are at a higher risk for developing Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome compared to other age groups.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: protein envelope around the nucleic acid. Viral capsid is the protein coat that surrounds and protects the viral nucleic acid (DNA or RNA). This structure helps in protecting the genetic material from degradation and facilitates the attachment of the virus to host cells. Option B is incorrect as it suggests the nucleic acid is coated with protein, which is not the case. Option C is incorrect as not all viruses have an outer membrane. Option D is incorrect as viruses typically do not have a lipoprotein membrane.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus epidermidis. The presence of Gram-positive cocci arranged in clusters, catalase-positive, and coagulase-negative characteristics are indicative of Staphylococcus species. Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common skin commensal that causes wound infections. Staphylococcus aureus is coagulase-positive and often causes more aggressive infections. Streptococcus pyogenes is catalase-negative and typically forms chains, not clusters. Enterococcus faecalis is catalase-negative and commonly found in the GI tract, not a common cause of wound infections.