A child is presumably ill with diphtheria. A specimen of affected mucous membrane of his pharynx was taken for analysis. The smear was stained and microscopic examination revealed yellow rods with dark blue thickenings on their ends. What structural element of a germ cell was revealed in the detected microorganisms?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Volutin granules. Volutin granules are metachromatic granules that stain dark blue with methylene blue or Leishman stain. In diphtheria-causing bacteria, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, these granules are typically seen as yellow rods with dark blue thickenings on their ends when stained. Volutin granules are storage inclusions composed of polymetaphosphate that serve as an energy reserve for the bacteria. The presence of these granules in the detected microorganisms indicates the characteristic feature of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Summary of other choices: B: Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA molecules that are not typically visible on stained smears. C: Capsules are outer protective layers that are not visible on stained smears. D: Spores are reproductive structures formed by certain bacteria, not typically seen in Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Ziehl-Neelsen staining method was applied. 1. Ziehl's solution is used as a primary stain in Ziehl-Neelsen staining for acid-fast organisms like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. 2. Sulfuric acid is used as a decolorizer to remove excess stain. 3. Methylene blue is not part of the Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. 4. Burri's, Gram's, and Peshkov's staining methods are not used for acid-fast staining.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the nucleocapsid of viruses is composed of the genome (genetic material) and the capsid (protein coat). The genome contains the viral genetic information, while the capsid protects the genome and helps in viral attachment and entry into host cells. Choice A is incorrect because the envelope is not part of the nucleocapsid but surrounds the capsid in some viruses. Choice C is incorrect as spikes are surface proteins on the viral envelope, not part of the nucleocapsid. Choice D is also incorrect because the envelope is external to the capsid and genome in many viruses.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Yersinia pestis. Y. pestis is responsible for causing the plague, a severe infectious disease. This bacterium is transmitted via fleas from rodents to humans. It causes bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague. Clostridium difficile causes gastrointestinal infections, Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause various infections but not the plague.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the term "infectious process" refers to all biological processes that occur after the attachment and penetration of microbes into the host organism, regardless of whether there are clinical manifestations. This includes the colonization, multiplication, and spread of the microorganisms within the host. Explanation: A: Incorrect because it only mentions the attachment and penetration of microbes into the microorganism, missing the subsequent processes. C: Incorrect because it is too specific, stating that the penetration of microbes always manifests clinically, which is not always the case. D: Incorrect because there is a correct answer, which is B, as explained above.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Bordetella pertussis. Bordetella pertussis is the bacterium responsible for causing whooping cough, also known as pertussis. It produces toxins that damage the respiratory tract, leading to severe coughing fits. Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis are not associated with whooping cough. Haemophilus influenzae can cause respiratory infections but not whooping cough. Streptococcus pneumoniae is known for causing pneumonia, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis, both different from whooping cough. Therefore, the correct answer is A as it is the specific bacterium linked to the disease in question.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Visceral leishmaniasis. This disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania, which is transmitted by sandfly bites. The symptoms described in the question, such as enlarged liver and spleen, peripheral gland enlargement, and eathy colored skin, are characteristic of visceral leishmaniasis. Amebiasis (choice A) typically presents with gastrointestinal symptoms, Balantidiasis (choice B) is caused by a different parasite and presents with dysentery, and Lambliasis (choice D) is caused by Giardia lamblia and presents with diarrhea.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Sexual transmission. The symptoms described are indicative of a vaginal yeast infection caused by Candida albicans. The presence of large gram-positive oval oblong cells forming pseudomycelium is characteristic of Candida infection. Sexual transmission is the most probable channel of infection as Candida can be transmitted through sexual contact. Endogenous infection (A) refers to infections originating from the body's own flora, which is not the case here. Contact infection (C) typically involves direct physical contact or fomite transmission, which is less likely in this scenario. Vector-borne transmission (D) involves transmission through vectors like mosquitoes or ticks, which is not relevant in this case.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D, Kitt-Tarozzi medium. This medium is specifically designed for the isolation and cultivation of Clostridium tetani, the bacteria responsible for tetanus. The other options, Sabouraud agar, Endo agar, and Hiss medium, are not suitable for the growth of Clostridium tetani. Sabouraud agar is used for fungal cultures, Endo agar is a selective medium for enteric bacteria, and Hiss medium is used for the cultivation of anaerobic bacteria other than Clostridium tetani. Therefore, the Kitt-Tarozzi medium is the most appropriate choice for isolating and identifying the tetanus agent in this scenario.