A child with diarrhea had stool microscopy revealing cysts with four nuclei. What is the most likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Entamoeba histolytica. This pathogen is known to cause amoebic dysentery, characterized by diarrhea with bloody or mucoid stools. The presence of cysts with four nuclei in the stool microscopy is a characteristic feature of Entamoeba histolytica. Other choices are incorrect because Giardia lamblia typically presents with binucleate cysts, Balantidium coli is a ciliated protozoan, and Trichomonas hominis is a non-pathogenic parasite found in the human intestine.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This bacterium causes diphtheria, a disease characterized by a pseudomembrane in the throat. This pseudomembrane is a result of the bacterial exotoxins causing inflammation and necrosis of the throat tissues. Clostridium tetani (A) causes tetanus, characterized by muscle stiffness, not a pseudomembrane in the throat. Bordetella pertussis (B) causes whooping cough, with symptoms of severe coughing fits but no pseudomembrane. Streptococcus pyogenes (D) causes strep throat, but does not produce a pseudomembrane.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Flagella. Flagella are whip-like appendages used by bacteria for movement. They rotate in a corkscrew motion to propel the bacteria through their environment. Pili (choice A) are hair-like structures used for attachment, not movement. Capsules (choice C) are protective layers around bacteria, not involved in movement. Fimbriae (choice D) are also used for attachment and biofilm formation, not for movement. Therefore, the correct choice is B as flagella are specifically adapted for bacterial motility.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Clostridium botulinum. This bacterium is associated with food poisoning from improperly canned foods due to its ability to produce botulinum toxin, a potent neurotoxin that causes botulism. Improper canning allows spores of Clostridium botulinum to survive and germinate, producing the toxin in anaerobic conditions. The other choices are incorrect because Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Vibrio cholerae are not typically associated with food poisoning from improperly canned foods. Escherichia coli and Salmonella are more commonly linked to contaminated water or undercooked food, while Vibrio cholerae causes cholera primarily through contaminated water sources.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium is responsible for causing gonorrhea. Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a sexually transmitted bacterium that infects the mucous membranes of the reproductive tract. It is known for causing symptoms such as painful urination and discharge. Chlamydia trachomatis (choice A) is another sexually transmitted bacterium but is not responsible for gonorrhea. Treponema pallidum (choice C) causes syphilis, not gonorrhea. Escherichia coli (choice D) is a common bacterium found in the gut and is not associated with causing gonorrhea. Therefore, Neisseria gonorrhoeae is the correct answer for this question.