A patient with a respiratory infection had sputum cultured on Endo agar, revealing green colonies. The bacteria were Gram-negative rods. What is the most likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is known to produce green colonies on Endo agar due to its pyoverdin pigment. It is also a Gram-negative rod. P. aeruginosa commonly causes respiratory infections in immunocompromised patients. Escherichia coli (B) typically produces pink colonies on Endo agar and is more associated with gastrointestinal infections. Salmonella typhi (C) and Shigella dysenteriae (D) are both Enterobacteriaceae that usually do not produce green colonies on Endo agar and are more associated with gastrointestinal infections as well.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Yersinia enterocolitica. This bacterium can contaminate foods and grow at refrigerator temperatures due to its psychrotrophic nature. Yersinia enterocolitica is known to cause foodborne illnesses even when stored at cold temperatures. Shigella sonnei is a human pathogen transmitted through fecal-oral route, Campylobacter jejuni is typically found in poultry and causes food poisoning, and E. coli can cause foodborne illnesses but does not grow well at refrigerator temperatures.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Step-by-step rationale: 1. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of tuberculosis. 2. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a slow-growing, acid-fast bacterium. 3. It primarily infects the lungs and can spread to other parts of the body. 4. Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, Clostridium tetani causes tetanus, and Treponema pallidum causes syphilis. 5. Therefore, choice A, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is the correct answer for the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because the capsule of bacteria is mainly composed of polysaccharides or polypeptides. This outer layer helps bacteria evade the host's immune system and protects them from desiccation. Peptidoglycan (choice A) is a component of the bacterial cell wall, not the capsule. Flagellin (choice C) is a protein component of the bacterial flagella, not the capsule. Choice D is incorrect as the capsule is indeed composed of polysaccharides or polypeptides.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Tuberculosis and mycobacterioses. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, and other mycobacteria can survive in the soil for extended periods. Here's the rationale: 1. Mycobacteria have a waxy cell wall that provides resistance to harsh environmental conditions. 2. The slow growth rate of mycobacteria allows them to persist in the soil for long periods. 3. Tuberculosis and mycobacterioses are known to be transmitted through environmental exposure, including soil. 4. Colibacillosis and cholera (Choice C) are caused by enteric bacteria that do not survive well in soil. 5. Leptospirosis and plague (Choice D) are bacterial diseases transmitted through animal hosts and are not known to be soil-borne.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Shigella dysenteriae I. This bacterium is known to produce Shiga toxin, which is responsible for the most severe bacillary infections. The toxin can cause bloody diarrhea and potentially life-threatening complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome. Shigella boydii, flexneri, and sonnei, while also causing bacillary dysentery, do not produce the same level of severity as Shigella dysenteriae I due to the absence of Shiga toxin.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Streptococcus mutans. This bacterium is associated with the formation of dental caries due to its ability to metabolize sugars and produce acids that demineralize tooth enamel. Streptococcus pneumoniae (choice A) is not typically associated with dental caries. Bacillus anthracis (choice C) causes anthrax, not dental caries. Clostridium botulinum (choice D) causes botulism, not dental caries. Streptococcus mutans' unique characteristics make it the correct choice for the bacteria associated with dental caries.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: aspergillosis and candidiasis. Detection of galactomannan and free mannan is commonly used in diagnosing these fungal infections. Galactomannan is a component of the cell wall of Aspergillus species, while free mannan is associated with Candida species. This detection method helps in identifying these specific fungal infections accurately. B: Syphilis is caused by a bacterium, Treponema pallidum, and is not diagnosed using galactomannan or free mannan detection. C: Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by the Leptospira species and is not diagnosed using galactomannan or free mannan detection. D: HIV infection is a viral infection caused by the human immunodeficiency virus and is not diagnosed using galactomannan or free mannan detection.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Clostridium perfringens. This bacterium is the causative agent of gas gangrene due to its ability to produce gas and toxins in anaerobic conditions. Clostridium tetani causes tetanus, Clostridium botulinum causes botulism, and Bacillus anthracis causes anthrax, not gas gangrene. Clostridium perfringens stands out as the correct choice based on its specific association with gas gangrene and its pathogenic mechanisms.