A Gram-stained smear from a wound infection revealed Gram-positive cocci arranged in clusters. The bacteria were catalase-positive and coagulase-negative. What is the most likely causative agent?

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.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Metronidazole. It is the drug of choice for treating systemic amebiasis due to its high efficacy against Entamoeba histolytica. Metronidazole is well-absorbed, reaches therapeutic levels in the intestines, liver, and lungs, making it effective in treating the multi-organ involvement in this case. Choice B: Quiniofone is not a recommended treatment for amebiasis. Choice C: Tetracycline is not the first-line treatment for systemic amebiasis. Choice D: Quingamine is not a recognized drug for treating amebiasis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: peritrichous. Peritrichous bacteria have flagella distributed all over the cell surface, providing motility in various directions. This allows them to move efficiently through their environment. Option A and D, lophotrichous, have flagella clustered at one or both ends of the cell, limiting movement to specific directions. Option B, amphitrichous, have flagella at both ends of the cell, also limiting movement compared to peritrichous bacteria. Therefore, peritrichous is the correct choice for bacteria with flagella distributed over the general cell surface.

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: Escherichia coli. E. coli is a Gram-negative rod that typically has a greenish hue on MacConkey agar due to its ability to ferment lactose, producing acid that changes the pH indicator to green. E. coli is a common cause of diarrhea, particularly in cases of traveler's diarrhea. Salmonella (B), Shigella (C), and Klebsiella (D) are also Gram-negative rods but do not typically show a greenish hue on MacConkey agar and are less commonly associated with causing diarrhea compared to E. coli.

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: Cell wall. In the Gram staining method, the primary differentiation of bacteria is based on the composition of their cell walls. Gram-positive bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan in their cell walls, which retains the crystal violet dye and appears purple under the microscope. On the other hand, Gram-negative bacteria have a thinner layer of peptidoglycan and an outer membrane, which allows the crystal violet dye to be washed out during the decolorization step and take up the counterstain safranin, appearing pink. The different responses to stains are primarily due to the structural differences in the cell walls of these two types of bacteria. Summary: - Choice A: Cell wall is correct because it determines the differential staining in Gram staining. - Choice B: Cytoplasm is incorrect as it does not directly influence the staining properties of bacteria. - Choice C: Cytoplasmic membrane is incorrect as it is not the main structural

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Carry genes for antibiotic resistance. Bacterial plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that can be transferred between bacteria, carrying genes such as antibiotic resistance. This allows bacteria to survive in the presence of antibiotics. Plasmids do not directly play a role in protein synthesis (choice A) or DNA replication (choice B). Plasmids are not responsible for motility (choice D) as that function is usually carried out by flagella or other cellular structures.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step 1: Treponema pallidum is a spirochete bacterium known to cause syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection. Step 2: Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea, not syphilis. Step 3: Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for causing chlamydia, not syphilis. Step 4: Escherichia coli is commonly found in the gut and can cause gastrointestinal infections, not syphilis. Summary: Treponema pallidum is the correct answer as it is the specific bacterium associated with syphilis, while the other choices are responsible for different infections.