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

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: 1. Gram-positive cocci in pairs indicate Streptococcus pneumoniae. 2. Presence of a capsule points to S. pneumoniae as it has a polysaccharide capsule. 3. S. pneumoniae commonly causes sore throat. 4. Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae are not typically associated with sore throat.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium is commonly associated with hospital-acquired infections due to its ability to survive in hospital environments, resist antibiotics, and infect immunocompromised patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae (choice A) is more commonly associated with community-acquired pneumonia. Vibrio cholerae (choice C) causes cholera, a waterborne disease, and is not typically associated with hospital-acquired infections. Choice D is incorrect because Pseudomonas aeruginosa is indeed associated with hospital-acquired infections.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Treponema pallidum. This bacterium is responsible for causing syphilis due to its unique spiral shape and ability to penetrate mucous membranes. It is transmitted through sexual contact or from mother to child during childbirth. Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes gonorrhea, Chlamydia trachomatis causes chlamydia, and Escherichia coli is a common bacterium found in the gut. Therefore, they are not responsible for syphilis.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Binding of mast cell-fixed IgE. The Bezredka method involves introducing small amounts of the antigen to which the individual is allergic, leading to the binding of mast cell-fixed IgE. This process desensitizes the immune system and prevents anaphylactic shock by reducing the release of histamine and other mediators from mast cells. Rationale: 1. A: Stimulation of antigen-specific IgG2 is incorrect because the Bezredka method primarily targets IgE, not IgG2. 2. B: Stimulation of the immunological antigen tolerance is incorrect as this method aims to block the allergic response rather than induce tolerance. 3. D: Blocking of mast cell mediators synthesis is incorrect because the Bezredka method does not directly inhibit the synthesis of mast cell mediators, but rather blocks their release by binding IgE.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: EBV. Osteomyelitis is primarily caused by bacteria, not viruses like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The main pathogens involved in osteomyelitis are typically Staphylococcus aureus, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Haemophilus influenzae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. EBV is not a causative agent of osteomyelitis. It is crucial to differentiate between bacterial and viral etiologies in infectious diseases to guide appropriate treatment.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C (100°C) because the Koch apparatus is used for sterilization, and the standard temperature for sterilization is 100°C. At this temperature, most microorganisms are killed, making it an effective method for sterilization. Choice A (90°C), B (95°C), and D (110°C) are incorrect because they are not commonly used temperatures for sterilization purposes. Choosing a temperature lower than 100°C may not effectively kill all microorganisms, while choosing a temperature higher than 100°C may lead to unnecessary energy consumption without providing additional sterilization benefits.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Sepsis is a systemic response to infection resulting in organ dysfunction. A: Sepsis can be caused by bacterial infection, but it is not solely defined by the presence of bacteria in the blood. B: Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the blood, which can be a component of sepsis, but sepsis involves a broader systemic response beyond just bacteremia. C: Sepsis can lead to the release of toxins and organ failure, but sepsis itself is not defined solely by the massive proliferation of toxins. Therefore, the correct answer is D, as sepsis can involve the presence of bacteria, bacteremia, systemic manifestations, and organ failure.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Helicobacter pylori. Rationale: 1. Gram-negative spiral-shaped microorganisms match the morphology of Helicobacter pylori. 2. Positive urease activity is a characteristic feature of Helicjsonacter pylori. 3. Helicobacter pylori is specifically associated with gastric ulcers and is a common pathogen in the gastrointestinal tract. Summary: Choice B, Campilobacter jejuni, is a gram-negative curved bacterium but is not typically associated with gastric ulcers or urease activity. Choice C, Treponema pallidum, is a spirochete bacterium causing syphilis, which is not related to gastric ulcers. Choice D, Spirilla minor, is a generic term for spiral-shaped bacteria and is not a specific pathogen associated with gastric ulcers or urease activity.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive cocci that is catalase-positive and coagulase-positive, making it the most likely causative agent for the wound infection. Catalase-positive bacteria produce the enzyme catalase, which helps break down hydrogen peroxide. Coagulase-positive bacteria produce the enzyme coagulase, which causes the plasma proteins to clot. Staphylococcus epidermidis is catalase-positive but coagulase-negative, making it less likely to cause a wound infection. Streptococcus pyogenes is catalase-negative, and Enterococcus faecalis is catalase-negative and coagulase-negative, so they are less likely to be the causative agent.