A blood culture from a patient with sepsis revealed Gram-positive cocci in pairs. The bacteria were catalase-negative and alpha-hemolytic. What is the most likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pneumoniae. This is because the bacterium is Gram-positive cocci in pairs, catalase-negative, and alpha-hemolytic, which are characteristic features of S. pneumoniae. The other choices can be ruled out based on specific characteristics: B) Staphylococcus aureus is catalase-positive, C) Enterococcus faecalis is gamma-hemolytic, and D) Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a Gram-negative diplococcus. Therefore, based on the given information, S. pneumoniae is the most likely causative agent of the sepsis.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Innate immunity (natural resistance). Innate immunity refers to the non-specific defense mechanisms that act against a variety of infectious agents. This includes physical barriers like skin and mucous membranes, as well as cellular components like phagocytes and natural killer cells. Adaptive immunity (A) is specific and involves the production of antibodies and immune memory (B), which are not part of the initial non-specific response. Antibodies (C) are part of the adaptive immune response and are produced in response to specific pathogens, not part of the non-specific innate defense factors.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Ionizing radiation has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, creating charged particles (ions). UV light does not have enough energy to ionize atoms, making choice A the correct answer. Gamma rays, electron beams, and X-rays all have sufficient energy to cause ionization. Gamma rays are very high-energy electromagnetic radiation, electron beams are streams of high-energy electrons, and X-rays are high-energy electromagnetic radiation as well.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: IFA - Immunofluorescence assay. Toxoplasmosis and chronic gonorrhea can be detected using serological tests like IFA. IFA detects specific antibodies in the patient's serum by using fluorescently labeled antibodies. This method is highly sensitive and specific for detecting both acute and latent infections. Explanation of Incorrect Choices: A: RIHA - Reverse indirect hemagglutination assay - This test is not commonly used for detecting toxoplasmosis or chronic gonorrhea. B: RDHA - Reverse direct hemagglutination assay - This test is not typically used for these specific infections. D: Immunoblot analysis - While Immunoblot analysis is a useful confirmatory test for certain infections, it is not the primary method for detecting toxoplasmosis or chronic gonorrhea.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Obligate anaerobes. These microorganisms thrive in the absence of oxygen, as seen in the canned mushrooms where oxygen is limited. They produce toxins causing food poisoning. Facultative anaerobes (B) can survive with or without oxygen. Microaerophiles (C) require low levels of oxygen. Obligate aerobes (D) need oxygen to survive and would not be responsible for the poisoning in this case.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: EIEC. This strain of E. coli can cause bloody diarrhea in children similar to shigellosis due to its ability to invade and replicate within the intestinal epithelial cells, leading to inflammation and bloody stools. ETEC (A) causes watery diarrhea due to enterotoxins. EAEC (C) causes persistent diarrhea. EPEC (D) causes attaching and effacing lesions on the intestinal mucosa without invasion.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: After the transfer of the F plasmid from the donor to the recipient cell, the correct answer is D. This is because the F plasmid carries genes for conjugation, allowing the recipient cell to become F+ (containing the F plasmid). The donor cell remains F. Choice A is incorrect as the outcome can be predicted based on the transfer of the F plasmid. Choice B is incorrect because the donor cell does not become F after transferring the F plasmid. Choice C is incorrect as only the recipient cell becomes F+, not both cells.

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: Rationale for Correct Answer A (Diphtheria): 1. Thin yellow bacilli with dark brown grains on ends suggest Corynebacterium diphtheriae, characteristic of diphtheria. 2. Roman numeral five shape is typical of diphtheria bacilli. 3. Diphtheria causes sore throat and can spread in boarding schools. 4. Neisser staining method is used for diphtheria bacilli. Summary of Incorrect Choices: B: Scarlet fever is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes and presents with rash, not yellow bacilli. C: Listeriosis is caused by Listeria monocytogenes, not consistent with the described findings. D: Tonsillitis can be caused by various bacteria or viruses, but the specific characteristics described do not match.