A patient with a sore throat had a throat culture revealing Gram-positive cocci in pairs with a capsule. What is the most likely causative agent?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacterium is the most likely causative agent because it is a Gram-positive cocci in pairs with a capsule, which matches the description provided. S. pneumoniae is a common cause of bacterial pharyngitis and can present with sore throat. Summary of other choices: B: Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive cocci in clusters, not pairs, and is not typically associated with sore throat. C: Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative diplococcus and more commonly causes meningitis or septicemia, not sore throat. D: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative rod bacterium, not a Gram-positive cocci, and is not a common cause of sore throat.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: spleen. The spleen is not a component of the gastrointestinal tract; it is part of the lymphatic system. The pharynx, esophagus, and stomach are all part of the gastrointestinal tract responsible for digestion and absorption of food. The spleen's main functions include filtering blood, storing blood cells, and supporting the immune system, making it unrelated to the digestive process.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Viscerotropic Leishmania. The presence of crescent-shaped bodies with pointed tips, blue cytoplasm, and red nuclei is characteristic of Leishmania species. Viscerotropic Leishmania causes visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar, which affects the internal organs. Toxoplasma typically presents as tachyzoites, not crescent-shaped bodies. Plasmodium malariae is a malaria parasite with different morphology. Dermatotropic Leishmania causes cutaneous leishmaniasis, not the visceral form indicated by the morphology described in the question.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C, Meat-peptone agar, as it provides a simple nutritive media for bacterial growth. This agar contains meat extract and peptone, which are good sources of nutrients for bacterial growth. Glucose broth (A) is a liquid medium with glucose but lacks other essential nutrients. Ascites (serum) agar (B) is a selective medium used for detecting pathogens in clinical samples. Blood agar (D) is a differential medium used to distinguish different types of bacteria based on hemolytic reactions. Meat-peptone agar is the simplest and most general-purpose medium among the options provided.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Escherichia coli. On Endo agar, lactose-fermenting bacteria produce red colonies due to acid production. Escherichersia coli is a lactose-fermenting, gram-negative bacillus commonly found in the intestines. Salmonella and Shigella are lactose-negative and do not produce red colonies on Endo agar. Proteus is also lactose-negative and doesn't typically grow on Endo agar. Therefore, based on the lactose fermentation and colony color, Escherichia coli is the most likely microorganism present in the fecal sample.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: All of the above. HIV can be transmitted from mother to child during delivery through mixing of blood, during pregnancy through the placenta, and via breastmilk during lactation. Each mode of transmission carries a risk of HIV transmission to the child due to the presence of the virus in the mother's blood and bodily fluids. It is important to note that all three modes contribute to the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and preventive measures should be taken to reduce this risk. Option A, during delivery through mixing of blood, is correct as HIV can be transmitted through exposure to infected blood during childbirth. Option B, during pregnancy through placenta, is also correct as the virus can cross the placenta and infect the fetus. Option C, via breastmilk during lactation, is correct as HIV can be present in breastmilk and transmitted to the child through breastfeeding. Therefore, the preferred mode of transmission of HIV from a mother to a child

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Cholera. Cholera is caused by Gram-negative curved rod-like bacteria called Vibrio cholerae, commonly found in contaminated water or food. The characteristic symptom of cholera is profuse watery diarrhea, which matches the patient's presentation. Typhoid fever (A) is caused by Salmonella typhi, which is not a curved rod-like bacteria. Diphtheria (C) is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, a Gram-positive bacterium, and does not typically cause diarrhea. Intestinal form of plague (D) is caused by Yersinia pestis, which is not a curved rod-like bacteria and does not typically present with diarrhea.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Step 1: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Step 2: Mycobacterium tuberculosis can lead to tuberculosis, which can manifest as pulmonary tuberculosis. Step 3: Escherichia coli is not typically associated with causing pneumonia. Step 4: Since Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis are linked to pneumonia, and Escherichia coli is not, the correct answer is D - All of the above.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Neisser. Bacterial capsules can be stained using the Neisser staining method because it specifically targets the capsule, making it visible under a microscope. Neisser staining involves using a combination of acidic and basic dyes to highlight the capsule structure. This method helps differentiate the capsule from the bacterial cell, aiding in the identification and study of capsules. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because Cleat and Müller staining methods are not commonly used for staining bacterial capsules, and "None of the above" is incorrect as Neisser staining is a valid method for capsule staining.